MultiChoice, the owner of DStv, is actively combating streaming piracy in South Africa, conducting raids that have led to the arrest of at least ten individuals in 2024.
The pay-TV provider is taking a firm stance against illegal streaming activities, with Frikkie Jonker, the director of cybersecurity anti-piracy at MultiChoice’s subsidiary Irdeto, cautioning that the company may also pursue legal actions against viewers.
Pirate streaming platforms are viewed as a major threat to the broadcasting industry, siphoning vital revenue from legitimate broadcasters. According to Partners Against Piracy (PAP), the unauthorised distribution of licensed content jeopardises the sustainability of content creators and rights holders.
“The illegal dissemination of content via pirate streaming services, such as Fmovies and unauthorised IPTV platforms, poses significant challenges to the entire industry,” PAP stated. “This type of piracy not only leads to direct financial losses for businesses but also compromises the integrity of our content distribution systems.”
Despite the risks, many South Africans are drawn to these illegal streaming platforms that often provide free access to content or offer it at low costs, prompting MultiChoice to intensify its anti-piracy efforts.
In June 2024, the company reported a successful raid from May, which resulted in the arrest of an individual linked to the Waka TV pirate streaming operation. “This operation marks a significant step in our unwavering commitment to safeguarding MultiChoice Group’s content and our broadcasting integrity,” the company announced.
Following the first arrest, another suspect was apprehended the very next day for allegedly selling pirated streaming devices that enabled unauthorised access to DStv content. This individual is accused of managing a network of pirate customers and resellers while distributing live channels, movies, and series from DStv.
Subsequent raids led to additional arrests over the following months, including one suspected of selling login credentials and illegal streaming devices. In mid-August 2024, a collaborative operation with the Milnerton South African Police Services captured two individuals accused of selling devices that provided access to pirated DStv content.
In September, MultiChoice delivered another significant blow to the Waka TV operation, apprehending a suspect in Germiston on multiple charges, including fraud and violations of the Cybercrimes Act. This individual is believed to have assisted an informant during an investigation and allegedly provided illegal devices to access SuperSport content, impacting broadcasters like DStv.
Between then and late November 2024, MultiChoice confirmed three more arrests, two of which were linked to the Waka TV operation, marking an ongoing commitment to tackling piracy within the industry.
