MultiChoice Africa, in partnership with the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) and the Malawi Police Service, has successfully dismantled a piracy ring in Malawi following an intensive anti-piracy training and enforcement operation held in May 2025.
From May 20 to 23, 21 participants, including police officers, prosecutors, and Ministry of Justice representatives, attended a four-day training session in Lilongwe focused on piracy types, enforcement strategies, and legal frameworks.
The training quickly yielded results. On May 21, acting on intelligence and new enforcement tactics, the Malawi Police Service, supported by COSOMA, raided an illegal streaming operation in Lilongwe. Two suspects were arrested, and several hundred pieces of pirate streaming equipment were confiscated.
MultiChoice highlighted that piracy severely undermines the creative industry by diverting revenue from content creators and legitimate broadcasters. It also causes significant losses in government tax revenue, which hinders national development and public services. Additionally, consumers using pirate streaming services risk exposure to malware and compromised personal data, with no assurance of content quality or safety.
Rachael Kabango, Assistant Licensing Officer at COSOMA, cited Malawi’s Copyright Act, which imposes fines up to MWK 10 million and prison terms for possession of devices intended for piracy, emphasizing the serious legal consequences.
Frikkie Jonker, MultiChoice Group Africa Anti-Piracy Director, praised the collaboration, calling the raid “the first of many” and a testament to the power of strong partnerships and dedicated training. MultiChoice reaffirmed its commitment to working with local authorities to protect creative rights and ensure a safe, legal entertainment environment in Malawi and across Africa.
MultiChoice continues to lead anti-piracy efforts through education, enforcement, and industry collaboration to support the continent’s creative economy.
This successful operation marks a significant step forward in Malawi’s fight against digital piracy, signaling more enforcement actions to come.
