Police seize over R17 million in unapproved iPhones and Samsung devices in Fordsburg

In a coordinated sting operation that exposed a growing black-market trade in unapproved electronics, the South African Police Service (SAPS) this week seized a cache of illegally imported Apple iPhones, Samsung smartphones, and other electronic devices valued at more than R17 million in Fordsburg, Johannesburg.

The raid, which took place inside a bustling Fordsburg mall known for its electronics stores, was the culmination of a multi-agency intelligence-led investigation targeting the illicit importation and sale of non-type approved devices.

According to law enforcement sources, 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 personnel.

Over one thousand electronic devices and accessories were confiscated, including two-way radios, IMEI and ICASA labels, and cell phone accessories, all believed to have been smuggled into the country in violation of the Customs and Excise Act and the Electronic Communications Act.

“These are devices that have not been certified or tested by ICASA. They pose potential risks to consumers and can interfere with legitimate communication networks,” said an ICASA representative who spoke on condition of anonymity as investigations continue.

Under Section 35 of the Electronic Communications Act, it is illegal for anyone to use, supply, sell, offer for sale, lease, or hire any type of electronic communications equipment or facility that has not been approved by the Authority.

Sources close to the investigation revealed that the seized stock primarily consisted of Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models, often sold below retail value, a red flag for consumers seeking cheaper devices that bypass official import channels.

All confiscated items have since been transported to ICASA’s secure storage facility for safekeeping and forensic analysis.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any arrests were made, but investigators are reportedly tracing the supply chain and import routes linked to the operation, which may extend beyond South Africa’s borders.