The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has successfully destroyed 18,101 illegal discs containing 47,204 films valued at R4.7 million in the Western Cape.
The seized materials included discs with explicit X18 content and bestiality, both illegal under the Film and Publications Act (FPA).
Commitment to Protecting the Public
According to the Film and Publication Board’s X account, this operation is part of the FPB’s ongoing efforts to curb the distribution of harmful and unclassified content.
By removing such material from circulation, the FPB aims to protect children and uphold regulatory standards for media distribution in the country.
Piracy and the Law in South Africa
MyBroadband states that content piracy constitute a criminal offense according to the Cybercrime Act 19 of 2020.
The Copyright Act 98 of 1978, section 27, states that anyone found guilty of infringing on a right holder’s rights through unauthorised distribution, reproduction, or sale of unlicensed material can face a fine of up to R5,000.
The maximum prison sentence for such offences is three years.
The RICA Act 70 of 2002, section 45, states that selling or possessing infringing devices, such as illegal streaming boxes, can result in a fine of up to R2 million.
Offenders may also face a fine or maximum prison sentence of 10 years or both.
Gauteng Crackdown on Illegal Streaming Services
In a separate major anti-piracy operation, TheCitizen reported that MultiChoice and law enforcement agencies conducted raids across five locations in Gauteng in November 2024.
The targeted areas included Florida, Mayfair, Ormonde, Booysens, and Kempton Park.
The raids led to multiple arrests and the seizure of illegal streaming equipment, including decoders, modems, and bypass software.
Authorities warn that illegal streaming violates intellectual property laws and costs the entertainment industry millions in lost revenue.
MultiChoice has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on piracy, with more operations expected in the coming months.
What steps do you think the public can take to help fight piracy and protect vulnerable groups from harmful content?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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