A 16-year-old boy is in police custody in the Western Cape, facing serious charges related to the contravention of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities, known as the POCDATARA Act, as well as malicious damage to property.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi says their investigation started in December 2023 when information was received that the child was allegedly planning to attack the Cape Town International Airport and a nightclub after being radicalised and recruited by a terrorist organisation.
He says that despite a search of his property, no explosives were found; however, his electronic devices and phone were seized for analysis, where it was established that he participated in chat groups with extremists.
It is further alleged that he recruited another individual to assist him in November of 2023 to destroy the Statue of Mary at the Melkobsstrand Catholic Church by beheading and spray painting it with unfamiliar slogans.
The juvenile will return to the Atlantis Children's court on Friday for legal representation.
He was released into the care of his parents.
The enquiry was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Cape Town for decision and thereafter sent to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for the issuing of a POCDATARA certificate, which was issued on 06 March 2025.
