Multichoice dealt a big hit to Waka TV, an organisation that steals content from the internet, with a successful raid in Germiston on Friday, September 6. During the operation, someone was arrested on charges of theft, fraud, money laundering, and breaking the Cyber Crime Act 19 of 2021.
“This latest enforcement action is part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on piracy spearheaded by local authorities in collaboration with the MultiChoice anti-piracy department,” MultiChoice said in an e-mailed statement.
According to police, detailed bank records link the suspect to another high-profile target.
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In the raid, the suspect was arrested for allegedly aiding an informant. The defendant is suspected of providing an illicit internet streaming device to view SuperSport content.
The suspect employs one of Africa’s most infamous piracy organisations, Waka TV. During the inquiry, an unlawful streaming device, posters advertising unlicensed DStv Premium content, and a mobile phone containing several purported illegal service subscribers’ contact details were found.
According to early June sources, MultiChoice and Western Cape police investigated Waka TV. At the time, the broadcaster called the arrest of a “key suspect” a “significant victory in the fight against internet streaming piracy”.
MultiChoice’s Impact on Criminal Investigations
MultiChoice said that police in Germiston have “uncovered detailed financial records linking the suspect to another high-profile target” in the most recent incident.m
According to the statement, investigators have expanded their search, and more arrests are likely to be made in connection with this network.
We’ve collected all confiscated evidence for analysis. He was charged with these crimes at Germiston court this morning. The suspect’s bond hearing is September 16.
Frikkie Jonker, who is in charge of programming cybersecurity and anti-piracy at Irdeto, which MultiChoice owns, said that more raids on Waka TV resellers and stores are imminent.
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Looking Ahead
As DStv continues its anti-piracy campaign, we are likely to see more arrests and legal actions against those who engage in illegal activities. The company remains committed to ensuring that its paying subscribers enjoy its content legally and is taking significant steps to achieve this goal.
“Our fight against digital piracy in South Africa continues with this arrest. Jonker said the message is clear: those involved with Waka TV will be prosecuted.
The fight against piracy is far from over, but DStv’s ongoing efforts signal that it is a battle the company is determined to win. By combining legal action with technological innovation and public awareness campaigns, DStv takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem. As the campaign progresses, it will be interesting to see how the company adapts to the ever-evolving tactics of pirates and continues to protect its valuable content.