About 200 Plettenberg Bay residents marched through the streets of the coastal holiday town against child pornography on Saturday.
This just four days ahead of the next court appearance of a 37-year-old Plett computer engineer who was arrested on January 13 during a joint sting operation by South African and Belgian police for his alleged involvement in an international pornography ring distributing images and videos involving the brutal sexual assault of babies - some as young as a only few days old.
"We will carry on and carry on with efforts until we are heard," march organiser Yvette Wilschut said.
Wilschut added that one of their main concerns was that alleged paedophiles were being granted bail.
"In cases where suspects were caught red-handed and there was little doubt over their involvement, bail should not be granted. The suspect should be detained; otherwise he or she can warn others involved, destroy evidence or harm even more children."
The local child pornography suspect, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's court after his arrest, but was subsequently released on R10 000 bail and the case was postponed until April 22 for further investigation.
This bust led to more arrests including a couple in Port Elizabeth who were also released on bail, this time R5 000 each.
"We have a very sophisticated law system, but it is clearly not implemented properly."
Marchers on Saturday united to voice their concerns and walked all the way from the Phakamisani Primary School in Kwanokuthula. From there protestors proceed to the Plettenberg Bay Secondary School to include the New Horizons community and then joined up with Qolweni residents in Green Oak Road before they headed to the Shell fuel station and Plett central, through High Street and into Marine Way. From there residents marched to the local police station to hand over a petition to police.
In February residents organised a similar march and handed over a petition signed by more than 2000 individuals.
Woman and Men Against Child Abuse also supported the efforts and will send representatives to Plett on April 22 for the court appearance.
Yolande Stander
Garden Route Media
April 18, 2015
