A close up of hands in handcuffs. File Picture
Two men accused of sexual grooming and the possession, downloading, manufacturing, and distribution of child pornography in separate incidents are expected to make their first appearance in Gauteng courts tomorrow.
In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the arrests were the result of joint operations involving its officers, the US’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the US’s Department of Homeland Security.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said in the first operation last Thursday, members from the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Unit (SECI), Forensic Social Work, and the FBI acted on information supplied through an international tip line.
She said the investigation led the team to an address in Vanderbijlpark, where they arrested a 49-year-old man who allegedly sexually groomed, sexually assaulted, and raped his girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter.
In another operation last Friday, the team arrested a 41-year-old suspect, a former teacher and school principal in Pretoria, on charges of allegedly exposing children to adult pornography and sexually grooming 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,” she said.
In this operation, van Wyk said, the multi-disciplinary team comprised members from the national and Gauteng provincial SECI Unit and the Pretoria Central Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences 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, 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,” van Wyk said.
She added that it is a criminal offence to possess, access, download, manufacture, and share child pornography.
“The SAPS remains resolute in its efforts to prevent, combat, and investigate crimes committed against children.”
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