Police seized illegally imported cell phones, mainly Apple iPhone and Samsung gadgets, and cell phone accessories valued at more than R17 million along with two-way radios, IMEI and ICASA labels during a takedown operation conducted this week in Fordsburg, south of Johannesburg.

This after a multidisciplinary team acted on intelligence regarding illegally imported electronic devices and related items being stored and sold in a Fordsburg mall.

#sapsHQ The #SAPS seized illegally imported cell phones & accessories worth over R17 million during a takedown op in Fordsburg, Johannesburg this week.

A multidisciplinary team including Commercial Crime, Border Policing, LCRC, ICASA & private security acted on intelligence… pic.twitter.com/5aWrr4xbR4

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 23, 2025

Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says, “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.”

Van Wyk adds, “According to 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 confiscated items have been transported to ICASA’s storage facility for safekeeping and further analysis, while investigation remains ongoing.