- Following a raid in Germiston on Friday, September 6, MultiChoice, a South African pay-TV broadcaster, has made another arrest in connection with the Waka TV pirate streaming operation for theft, fraud, money laundering, and violations of the Cybercrimes Act.
- • MultiChoice reported that during the raid, a suspect was apprehended for allegedly assisting one of the investigation's informants by providing an illegal Internet streaming device to facilitate unauthorised access to SuperSport content.
The individual has been identified as an alleged reseller linked to Waka TV. MultiChoice described this as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on piracy.
In June 2024, MultiChoice and its technology security subsidiary Irdeto, alongside Western Cape police investigators, nailed Waka TV. At the time, a raid resulted in the arrest of a key suspect believed to have managed several pirate customers and resellers.
MultiChoice had stated it was working with the police to investigate individuals like resellers linked to the pirate operation.
Following the latest arrest, materials seized included an illicit streaming device, banners advertising the unauthorised sale of DStv Premium content, and a mobile phone containing the contact details of several individuals who allegedly paid for the illegal service.
This raises the question of whether the broadcaster will go after those who paid for illegal services.
Additionally, MultiChoice stated that the police have “uncovered detailed financial records linking the suspect to another high-profile target." Investigators have expanded their investigations, and authorities anticipate further arrests connected to this network.
After appearing at the Germiston court to face charges, the suspect’s bail hearing has been scheduled for September 16.
Frikkie Jonker, anti-piracy director at Irdeto, commented that they are actively tracking additional targets connected to Waka TV and that those involved in this illegal network will be brought to justice.
In July 2024, together with the Eldorado Park police station in Gauteng, MultiChoice arrested a suspect during a raid for allegedly selling login credentials and internet streaming devices that enabled illegal access to premium content.
Let the best of tech news come to you
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.
In August, MultiChoice and the Milnerton police arrested two suspects involved in another alleged piracy operation in South Africa.
Moreover, MultiChoice is seeking legal reforms in South Africa, requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to restrict access to websites illegally streaming its licensed content.
