Child porn ring exposed

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A joint operations between the South African police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the department of Homeland Security exposed a child porn ring in Gauteng.

This follows the arrest of two suspects for sexual grooming, possession, downloading, manufacturing and distribution of child pornography in different parts of province.

According to national police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, on Thursday, 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.

“On Friday, 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,” she explained.

van Wyk confirmed that three victims have been positively identified thus far, a further six victims are yet to be traced.

She continued; “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.

Devices containing child porn seized

“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 Tuesday respectively.”

van Wyk said the state will oppose bail in both matters.

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She further reminded members of the public that it is a criminal offence to possess, access, download, manufacture and share child pornography.

“The South African Police Service remains resolute in its efforts to prevent, combat and investigate crimes committed against children,” van Wyk added.