DJ Zinhle has once again publicly opposed counterfeit products after finding that a TikTok user, who describes herself as a personal shopper, was purportedly selling counterfeit items from her accessories line, Era by DJ Zinhle.
The DJ and businesswoman provided evidence of her communication with the seller, whose profile promoted Era accessories alongside items from established brands like Daniel Wellington, Crocs, and Coach.
Zinhle learned about the situation through a fan who brought the profile to her attention. When she reached out to the seller, the discussion took a confrontational turn.
“I called the woman and asked why she’s selling counterfeit items of my products, and she was defensive, claiming that she wasn’t and, in fact, I was falsely accusing her of something she wasn’t doing,” Zinhle articulated in her video.
As events unfolded on social media, the seller reportedly accused Zinhle of misrepresentation, asserting that her reputation was being harmed by the claims made against her.
Zinhle countered by posting screenshots of their exchange, intensifying the discussion online.
The dispute progressed further. In the same video, Zinhle also criticized Makro, disclosing that her sister had ordered Era earrings from the store, only for them to arrive in packaging matching that of her own brand.
Pondering how a large retailer could be implicated, she stated, “My business is a fraction of the big businesses in South Africa. Makro is a huge brand. Why would they sell counterfeit products of my brand?”
Era by DJ Zinhle, which started in 2012, initially focused on watches and has since diversified into handbags, jewelry, and its noted hoop earrings, priced between R500 and R1,100.
Nevertheless, imitation products are said to be available for as low as R90, making them accessible to unsuspecting consumers.
This is not the first instance of counterfeit issues impacting the brand.
In 2025, users online accused Shein of selling replicas of Era earrings, illustrating the broad reach of the problem as the brand grows in popularity.
