Child Online Sexual Predators Arrested in Joint SAPS and US Department of Homeland Security Operation

SAPS News – Child Online Sexual Predators Arrested in Joint SAPS and US Department of Homeland Security Operation

WESTERN CAPE – In a joint operation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) unit and the US Department of Homeland Security, three Child Online Sexual predators were arrested in the past week. One of them had posed as a teenager to lure underage girls into a chat group where child pornography was distributed.

These arrests bring the total number of Child Online Sexual Predators apprehended since November to seven. Four were arrested in November last year, with three in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal. The recent arrests in Worcester, Kraaifontein, and Mitchell’s Plain are part of an international effort to trace manufacturers, users, and distributors of child pornography.

The first suspect, a 53-year-old man from Worcester, was arrested on January 17, 2024. He was found with a staggering 95,000 images and 6,000 videos of child pornography. He faces charges of accessing, distributing, and possessing child pornography.

The second suspect, a 40-year-old man, was arrested in Kraaifontein on January 18, 2024. In his possession were over 149,000 pictures of child pornography and more than 5,000 videos. Additionally, he had two unlicensed firearms, various ammunition, and nine snakes, three of which lacked permits. Charges against him include possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, as well as possession, distribution, and accessing child pornography.

The third suspect, a 32-year-old man from Mitchell’s Plain, was arrested on January 19, 2024. He was caught chatting and luring underage girls on a chat group where explicit pictures were exchanged.

All suspects appeared in various courts, including Worcester, Kraaifontein, and Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court, where their cases were postponed for further investigation.

The success of this operation was attributed to the collaborative efforts of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of WC, NPA, Cape Nature, and SPCA.

Parents are urged to take proactive measures to protect their children online:

▶️ Monitor the devices and social media accounts of your children to ensure they don’t fall prey to such crimes.

▶️ Install parental control software and apps that can identify and block harmful content in chats, forums, and other internet communication tools.

▶️ Advise children not to respond to messages or emails from strangers.

▶️ Never upload sexually suggestive images of yourself to the internet.

▶️ Never reveal personal information about yourself, including where you stay or which school you go to, to an online friend.

▶️ Never agree to meet a stranger in private.

▶️ Inform an adult or call 0860010111 to report any incident that makes you feel uncomfortable.

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