Ballito cellphone retailer iWorld is back in court, facing 39 new counterfeit goods charges less than five months after its previous conviction.

The charges relate to 39 allegedly counterfeit Urban Armor Gear (UAG) cellphone covers, valued at R35 061, which were allegedly being sold at the retailer’s Ballito Junction store.

According to court documents, Smartphone Parts (Pty) Ltd, trading as iWorld, its sole director Jenine Ballraj (35) and salesman Ryan Moodley stand accused of possessing and selling the covers on July 15. Each was priced at R899.

The case was struck off the court roll on September 3 due to a technicality, but was re-enrolled on November 3. Ballraj and Moodley appeared in court, where the matter was postponed to November 26 for statements to be supplied to the defence.

The new charges follow the June 10 conviction of iWorld and Ballraj in the KwaDukuza Regional Court for selling counterfeit Apple products and accessories, including iPads, AirPods, chargers and cables, valued at R508 933 (‘Ballito iWorld director convicted on 694 counts over counterfeit Apple goods’, September 16).

Ballraj was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or a R50 000 fine, suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of a similar offence during that period.

She was also sentenced to three years’ correctional supervision, including house arrest, community service and compulsory rehabilitation and life-skills programmes. The sentence included restrictions on alcohol and drug use.

At the time, Ballraj disputed the Courier’s account of her sentence and threatened legal action, but did not provide an alternative account.

A conviction on the latest charges could have consequences for Ballraj’s suspended sentence, depending on its precise conditions and the court’s determination. When the Courier revisited the Ballito Junction store after publishing the original story on September 16, it had closed.

Mall management declined to comment. The store remains closed.