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DStv Pirates Beware: MultiChoice and Irdeto Crack Down on Illegal Streaming in South Africa

DStv Pirates Beware: Irdeto and SAPS Are Coming for Illegal Streamers in South Africa
If you’ve been streaming DStv illegally, your luck may be running out.
MultiChoice’s anti-piracy unit, Irdeto, has intensified its crackdown on streaming piracy in South Africa, with a staggering 49,000 illegal streaming operations disrupted in the 2025 financial year — up from 30,000 the year before. That’s a 63% spike in enforcement actions, and it’s just the beginning.
From raids across Gauteng, the Western Cape, and Johannesburg to court rulings under South Africa’s Cybercrimes Act, DStv pirates are now facing serious legal consequences, including fines, criminal records, and suspended prison sentences.
Major Arrests and Court Cases
MultiChoice’s latest annual results reveal a string of successful operations against streaming pirates, mostly targeting distributors of illegal IPTV services and modified devices like Waka TV.
Here are some of the most significant takedowns in 2025:
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31 May 2024: Key suspect arrested in Western Cape linked to Waka TV.
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6 June 2024: Gauteng suspect arrested for selling streaming devices.
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26 July 2024: Eldorado Park suspect nabbed for selling illegal DStv logins.
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6 Sept 2024: Germiston criminal linked to Waka TV arrested.
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19 Sept 2024: Worcester bust halts login credential network.
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29–30 Oct 2024: Raids in Booysens uncover a full distribution ring.
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25 Feb 2025: A Western Cape police sergeant arrested in Waka TV raid.
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7 Mar 2025: Gauteng reseller of pirated codes arrested.
Many of these suspects are now serving sentences or paying heavy fines, with courts enforcing strict penalties under the Cybercrimes Act.
MultiChoice Is Losing Billions And Fighting Back
With the rise of cheap internet and streaming devices, MultiChoice’s traditional DStv satellite revenue is under pressure, driving the company to heavily invest in anti-piracy enforcement.
“Piracy remains a major threat to broadcasters globally,” said MultiChoice, adding that Irdeto has “materially stepped up” efforts to protect its content rights.
While Showmax’s revenue has struggled to meet expectations, Irdeto’s performance has emerged as a bright spot in MultiChoice’s financials.
Irdeto: From Pirate Buster to Tech Powerhouse
Beyond South Africa, Irdeto has become a global cybersecurity and content protection leader.
Highlights from its 2025 performance:
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7.4 billion streams secured — up 14% from 2024.
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Delivered 413 million conditional access systems.
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Grew new service line revenue to 42%, from 35.7% last year.
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Expanded in gaming with Denuvo DRM used in top global releases.
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Rolled out digital vehicle keys to two of the top 3 U.S. logistics firms.
Irdeto’s success is helping MultiChoice weather the storm of cord-cutting — but it’s also making it clear that piracy will no longer be tolerated.
What This Means for South African Streamers
If you’re using or reselling illegal DStv logins, IPTV boxes, or codes from services like Waka TV, you’re not anonymous and law enforcement is actively tracking operations.
Irdeto is working closely with SAPS and the courts to bring offenders to justice. With arrests now including members of law enforcement, the crackdown is only escalating.
The age of “getting away with it” is coming to an end.
MultiChoice and Irdeto’s intensified piracy crackdown is not just a PR exercise — it’s a full-scale legal assault on those abusing the system and robbing the company of billions.
Streaming illegally? You’re no longer invisible.
As MultiChoice continues to evolve in the digital age, one thing is clear: they’re taking piracy very seriously and so are the courts.
Multichoice’s DStv Exit Plan Backfires as Showmax Revenue Falls
{Source: My Broad Band}
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