Benoni police, together with the Film and Publications Board (FPB) and Community Policing Forum (CPF), raided the streets of the Benoni CBD in search of vendors illegally distributing DVDs, especially those containing pornography.
“The FPB aims to prevent any form of child abuse, especially the distribution of adult content which is easily accessible to children,” said Benoni Police Station spokesperson Const Zunickha Essakjee.
Three suspects were arrested after being found in the possession of 1 000 DVDs, 32 of which were pornographic.
“The suspects were charged under the FPB, according to sections 24A (1), 24A (3) and 24A (5),” said Essakjee.
The sections which are mentioned above stipulate that distributors may not sell films to the public if they are not registered with the FPB; the person does not have a licence to distribute the business of adult premises and a film, game or publication does not clearly indicate the age restriction or any other condition imposed on the distribution of the material.
If distributors do not comply with section 24A (1) they are liable, upon conviction, to a fine or to an imprisonment period no longer than six months, or to both.
“A workshop about the FPB legislation was held on June 13, in the boardroom at the station,” said Essakjee.
“Everything the police learned at the workshop, they put into practice on June 14.”
However, this is not the first raid that SAPS conducted.
“This is an ongoing operation and we will continue to raid in Benoni,” said Benoni Police Station spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele.
“We will not only raid vendors, but shops as well, for illegal DVDs.”
“We are grateful to the SAPS for what they do and for them trying to protect our children,” Benoni CPF public relations officer Marinda Beukes said.
The three suspects appeared in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on June 15.
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