iStore South Africa - No Assistance

Have to replace my battery for my iPhone bought in Hong Kong. So I took my phone to the iStore Mall of Africa. They (Core Group Service Center Jet Park) came back with "the device display lifting due to swollen battery. Device purchased in USA, no service parts available in this region/country. Kindly return to place of purchase for service." *** They obviously don't know that Hong Kong is not in the US, so their system is inaccurate as they can't pick up where the device was bought.

So, they want me to go to Hong Kong to replace the battery. I though Apple is an international supplier of phones, yet they can't replace my battery in South Africa or order the part for replacement. Just sorry, your problem. Despite the fact that my phone is a genuine model. Not even trying to assist.