News: Joint operations between SAPS, FBI and Homeland Security lead to the arrest of two suspects for child pornography in Gauteng

Media Statement
South African Police Service
 

PRETORIA – The South African Police Service (SAPS) remains resolute in its efforts to prevent, combat and investigate crimes committed against children.

This week, joint operations between the SAPS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security led to the arrest of two suspects for sexual grooming, possession, downloading, manufacturing and distribution of child pornography in different parts of Gauteng.

In the first operation, on Thursday, 12 December 2024 members from both the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit and Forensic Social Work (FSW) together with the FBI acted on information supplied through an international tip line.

Investigation led the team to an address in Vanderbijlpark where they arrested a 49-year-old man who sexually groomed, sexually assaulted and raped his girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter.

In another takedown, on Friday, 13 December 2024 the team arrested a 41-year-old suspect, a former teacher and school principal in Pretoria on charges of exposing children to adult pornography and sexual grooming of boys between the ages of ten and twelve. Three victims have been positively identified thus far, a further six victims are yet to be traced.

In this operation, the multi-disciplinary team comprised of members from the national and Gauteng provincial SECI Unit and the Pretoria Central Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security.

In both matters, the teams seized various electronic devices suspected of containing sexual child abuse images and videos, or commonly known as child pornography.

Both these suspects are expected to appear before the Pretoria Central Magistrates’ Court and Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on 17 December 2024 respectively.

The state will oppose bail in both matters.

The SAPS reminds members of the public that it is a criminal offence to possess, access, download, manufacture and share child pornography.

Ends

Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk
067 595 0163

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