South African piracy operation Waka TV has been the object of multiple anti-piracy enforcement actions in recent times, led by Africa’s largest media company, MultiChoice.
The latest was a raid in the Johannesburg area on September 6, 2024; which resulted in the arrest of an individual who was accused of selling illicit streaming devices that provided access to sports programming distributed by DStv, a service of MultiChoice.
Police seized devices, content and a mobile phone; and also found financial records that pointed them to other enforcement targets. The individual was also accused of violating the Cybercrimes Acct of South Africa, which as been in effect since 2021.
Not the first, probably not the last
In June 2024, the MultiCholice Group had announced a “meticulously planned raid” on Waka TV that took place in May; which had taken it out of service.
It was implied at the time that the May raid would not be the end of the story, as enforcement activity turned toward resellers and others in what was characterized as Waka TV’s piracy network; and soon afterward, another raid took place to arrest a suspect who also sold illegal streaming devices and access credentials.
Further reading
DStv deals major blow to streaming pirates. Article. September 9, 2024. by Myles Illidge. Mybroadband (South Africa)
MultiChoice continues to fight piracy in latest WAKA TV arrest. Article. September 9, 2024. Digital Street (South Africa).
South Africa: Waka TV piracy operation raided, disrupted by MultiChoice, police. Article. June 17, 2024. by Steven Hawley. Piracy Monitor
Why it matters
“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,” said MultiChoice in a statement
According to reporting from South Africa (linked above), the anti-piracy director of MultiChoice said that more raids associated with Waka TV are “imminent.”
