The Film and Publication Board (FPB) is hoping its destruction of more than R12 million worth of pirated DVDs will have a negative impact on the illicit trade.

Last week on Thursday, the FPB destroyed 65000 DVD’s and CD’s and more than 100 000 film titles, as part of a confiscated consignments.

The board partnered with the South African Police Services, City of Cape Town Informal Traders Unit, City of Cape Town (Economic Development) and Cape Town Metro Police in the seizure of the material.

According to FPB’s Acting Chief Executive, Sandile Nene, the material was seized in various operations conducted in the Cape Town CBD, Bellville, Kuilsriver, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Wynberg and Athlone.

The majority of the confiscated material comes from Cape Town CBD, Bellville and Khayelitsha area and consists of a large percentage of international series and mainstream movies.

“The destruction process is conducted purely to prevent the confiscated DVD’s and CD’s in finding their way back to the market. Most of the confiscated material was unclassified and contained pornographic material as well as bestiality acts which were sold on the streets and taxi ranks and carries the risk of exposing children to harmful material” said Nene.

He said that the distribution of such content was a scourge which negatively impacts the industry and the country’s economy.

“Piracy peddlers steal intellectual property; they steal revenue, which should be due to destitute families by depriving them of royalties. People lose their jobs as more DVD shops close down due to poor business,” he added.

Officials at the event said that despite these successes, there was still a big problem of offended repeating their behaviour because of demand.

“There is a big demand for these DVDs and in some cases the customers demand that there be more than one title in one disc.

We have engaged in awareness campaigns to deter the public from purchasing these discs,” said FSB official Relebohile Moloi.

The board said it will continue to educate and drive awareness campaigns.