Questionable status of iStore SA and therefore questionable warranties

Purchased MBP 14-inch M1 PRO, 10C CPU & 16C GPU, 1TB SSD on 28 Dec 22 from iStore Sandton City. Went wheels up on the day kids left for UK uni last week. Rushed it to iStore Eastgate and was told take it with you as it is covered by International Warranty. A "known" failure of the logic board is suspected. Just taken into iStore Reading in the UK. Firstly we are told that machine was not bought from a GENUINE Apple Store. Because of this it makes the warranty QUESTIONABLE. HUGE supporter of Apple products having spent THOUSANDS of Rands, Pounds and USD over the years. Poor kid stuck in the UK with a dead very expensive laptop that has been taken in to check but taken in under a cloud that the warranty may not be valid!!! I need answers fast iStore South Africa as this is totally not acceptable.