South Africa - Johannesburg - 28 January 2025 - Darren Wilken and his girlfriend Tiona Moodley, appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. The couple is facing charges relating to child pornography and money laundering. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
The case against Darren Wilken and his partner Tiona Moodley, accused of manufacturing and distributing child pornography, has been postponed to February 3, 2025.
The postponement comes amid concerns regarding the categorisation of charges, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane explaining that there is a dispute over whether the offences should fall under schedule 1 or schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
“The case was postponed to Monday the 3rd of February 2025, this is because the schedule is in dispute. The defence are saying these schedule one offences, and as the state we are insisting that the offences fall within the ambit schedule 5. So now we have requested a postponement as the state for the office of the director of public prosecution to provide us with a certificate that confirms the schedule. And also we were also presented with the address of accused number one this morning, so we requested time for verification of such an address.” Mjonondwane stated.
Wilken's arrest came as authorities uncovered a staggering estimated 10 million images and videos depicting child sex crimes at his premises, pointing towards a transnational sex crime syndicate operating within South Africa.
In addition to the harrowing collection of electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material, substantial amounts of cash and illegal drugs were seized during the raid.
In a striking development, police also arrested a 25-year-old web designer, Moodley in Houghton on January 23, 2025, in connection with Wilken’s prior apprehension.
Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk confirmed that the woman faces serious charges including possession of child pornography and money laundering. This latest arrest follows the apprehension of her boyfriend, a 35-year-old man, during a joint operation conducted by the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units in Midrand.
Van Wyk had elaborated on the investigation, stating: “This arrest follows the take-down of her 35-year-old boyfriend, who was apprehended last week. An intensive investigation by the SECI Units uncovered evidence linking the woman to criminal activities, including the possession of an estimated 10 million child pornography images and videos. These materials were discovered on various electronic devices seized during an operation on Friday, January 17, 2025.”
Saturday Star
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za