South African police have confiscated over R17 million worth of illegally imported smartphones and accessories in a major Johannesburg operation. The seizure, which primarily included Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices, occurred at a mall in Fordsburg this week....Click to Read More >>➤

A multidisciplinary team acted on specific intelligence about the storage and sale of non-compliant electronic goods. The operation involved members from the SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, border policing, the Johannesburg Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and private security.

Massive Haul of Non-Compliant Devices

Authorities confirmed the confiscation of more than a thousand non-type-approved devices. These items violate the Customs and Excise Act and the Electronic Communications Act. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk detailed the seized goods.

“The majority of the seized devices included Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones. Also amongst the seized items are ICASA and IMEI labels, two-way radios, and other cell phone accessories,” Van Wyk stated. A non-type-approved cell phone is any device that has not been certified by ICASA for use in South Africa.

Section 35 of the Electronic Communications Act explicitly prohibits this activity. It states that no person may supply, sell, or offer for sale any electronic communications equipment unless it has been approved by the Authority. All confiscated items have been moved to an ICASA storage facility for safekeeping and further analysis. The investigation is ongoing.

Ongoing Investigations and a Previous Arrest

This bust is part of a broader crackdown on counterfeit and illegal electronics. In a related case from August, the Hawks arrested a 33-year-old foreign national in Gqeberha. That investigation began after a formal complaint from Apple Inc.

The tech giant reported suspected counterfeit iPhone merchandise being sold at a local outlet. Following confirmation the items were fake, valued at approximately R60,000, the Hawks moved in and made an arrest. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba confirmed the operation was a direct result of Apple’s complaint.

The consistent enforcement actions highlight the significant market for illegally imported and counterfeit smartphones in the region. The seizure of R17 million in devices from a single location in Fordsburg demonstrates the scale of this illicit trade. Authorities continue to target the distribution networks for these non-compliant smartphones, leveraging intelligence from various sources and collaborating with international companies and regulatory bodies to protect consumers and the local market. ...Click to Read More >>➤