R17 million in illicit iPhones and Samsung devices seized in Fordsburg Mall raid

Zuko Komisa

SAPS and ICASA seized R17 million worth of illegally imported Apple iPhones and Samsung devices during a major operation at a Fordsburg mall.
The consignment, consisting of over a thousand items, was non-type approved and violated South African Customs and Electronic Communications Acts.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to trace the origins of the illegal goods and identify those responsible for the illicit trade.

A multidisciplinary police operation in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, has resulted in the seizure of a massive consignment of illegally imported electronic devices, including Apple iPhones and Samsung products, valued at over R17 million.

The operation, which turned a local Fordsburg mall into a crime scene earlier this week, involved the South African Police Service (SAPS) Commercial Crime and Border Policing units, alongside officials from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

Authorities acted on intelligence regarding the sale and storage of illicit electronics. During the raid, police confiscated over a thousand devices and accessories. These products were found to be in violation of the country’s Customs and Excise Act and the Electronic Communications Act.

The seized goods include a large quantity of iPhones, various Samsung Galaxy models, and two-way communication radios. All items were classified as “non-type approved,” meaning they had not been certified by ICASA, as required under Section 35 of the Electronic Communications Act.

ICASA prohibits the sale or distribution of any unapproved communication equipment in South Africa, a violation that carries severe penalties. All seized items have been moved to an ICASA secure facility for further analysis.