FILE PHOTO: PIXABAY
Eastern Cape police have arrested a 52-year-old East London man for egregious charges relating to child pornography.
Spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said as part of an ongoing operation targeting online child sexual predators, the alleged sex offender was arrested for the possession, distribution, accessing, downloading, facilitating and viewing of child pornography in East London.
Colonel Naidu said he was arrested on Tuesday, 5 March, and had already appeared in court. His next court date had been set to 14 March 2024 for a formal bail application.
“Hundreds of child pornography images were found on his devices by a forensic investigator,” Colonel Naidu said in a statement.
“During the operation, cell phones, laptops and various storage devices were seized.”
She said the suspect formed part of the 27 online child sexual predators who were identified in South Africa as part of a joint international operation.
Members of the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Head Office, SECI in Eastern Cape and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations of the US Embassy conducted the takedown operation and arrest on 5 March 2024.
Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene applauded all law enforcement agencies involved.
“The arrest of this sexual predator marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect our community’s most vulnerable members from exploitation and abuse.
"Those who engage in such reprehensible activities will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” she said.
#sapsEC A 52-year-old East London man was arrested on charges relating to child pornography.
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) March 8, 2024
The suspect forms part of the 27 online child sexual predators who were identified in South Africa as part of a joint international operation. NPhttps://t.co/nuskpkyaCB pic.twitter.com/G8z0SFwy6M
