Lilongwe, Malawi – MultiChoice, the operator of DStv, in partnership with the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA), has launched a new anti-piracy initiative aimed at protecting the country’s creative economy and digital safety.
The programme began with a four-day capacity-building workshop and culminated in a successful enforcement raid against illegal streaming operators.
Key Highlights:
21 stakeholders trained, including Malawi Police Service officers, prosecutors, and Ministry of Justice representatives. Training topics included piracy types, legal frameworks, enforcement tactics, and the growing threat of illegal internet streaming. A raid on May 21 in Lilongwe led to the arrest of two suspects and seizure of hundreds of pirate streaming devices.
Building Capacity to Combat Piracy
The training, held on May 20, marks the start of what MultiChoice calls a “long-term commitment to fighting piracy in Malawi.”
Frikkie Jonker, Director of Anti-Piracy for MultiChoice Group Africa, described the initiative as a blueprint for tackling content theft through collaboration:
“This raid is a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnerships and dedicated training. We commend COSOMA and the Malawi Police for their swift action.”
The operation, led by law enforcement and supported by COSOMA, targeted an illegal streaming hub allegedly distributing pirated content across the country.
Why Streaming Piracy Matters
Piracy continues to pose a serious threat to Africa’s growing creative sector. According to MultiChoice, illegal streaming:
- Diverts revenue from content creators, legitimate broadcasters, and licensed service providers.
- Reduces government tax collections, affecting public funding and national development.
- Exposes users to cyber threats, including malware, spyware, and data breaches.
- Undermines content quality and user safety, with no guarantees on service reliability.
Legal Ramifications
Speaking on the legal stance, Rachael Kabango of COSOMA emphasized:
“Under Section 113 (4B) of the Copyright Act, possession of devices used to produce infringing content is a serious offense, punishable by fines up to MWK 10 million and imprisonment of up to four years.”
Repeat or continuing offenses may result in daily fines of MWK 50,000 until resolved.
A Pan-African Challenge
The initiative in Malawi aligns with a broader effort across Africa to address digital piracy and protect intellectual property. From Nigeria to South Africa, governments and private players are ramping up enforcement and awareness in response to the rise of illegal streaming networks.
MultiChoice says it is committed to scaling this model across the continent, working closely with national copyright agencies and law enforcement bodies to safeguard creative economies.
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