South African police have confiscated illegally imported cell phones and accessories valued at more than R17 million during a takedown operation in Fordsburg, south of Johannesburg. The raid targeted a mall storing and selling non-type approved devices, contravening national laws. A multidisciplinary team acted on intelligence to execute the operation this week.
This week, a multidisciplinary team comprising South African Police Service (SAPS) units for Commercial Crime and Border Policing, along with the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and private security, conducted a takedown in Fordsburg based on intelligence about illegally imported electronic devices.
The operation resulted in the seizure of over a thousand non-type approved cell phones, primarily Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models, as well as cell phone accessories, two-way radios, IMEI labels, and ICASA labels. The total value of the confiscated items exceeds R17 million.
Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk explained the violations: “More than a thousand non-type approved devices and related items were confiscated for being in contravention of the Customs and Excise Act and the Electronic Communications Act. A non-type approved cell phone is any device that has not been certified by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). 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.”
She further cited Section 35 of the Electronic Communications Act: “No person may use, supply, sell, offer for sale, lease, or hire any type of electronic communications equipment or electronic communications facility, including radio apparatus, used or to be used in connection with the provision of electronic communications, unless such equipment, electronic communications facility or radio apparatus has been approved by the Authority.”
All items have been transported to ICASA’s storage facility for safekeeping and further analysis. The investigation remains ongoing, with SAPS emphasizing their commitment to curbing illegal imports that undermine regulatory standards and consumer safety.