The five men were nabbed during an operation code-named “Moonlight” between February 10 and 14, Colonel Brenda Muridili said the SAPS Serial and Electronic FCS Investigation (SECI), a specialised section within Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) had tracked the alleged sexual predators from 10-14 February after working with the USA’s Department of Homeland Security.
In a statement on Sunday, the police said they received information about the suspects from the Crime Intelligence Cyber Crime Unit and initial investigation produced enough information to obtain search warrants, said Muridili.
“The search warrants were executed at various properties, resulting in the arrest of five men aged between 30 and 62 for possession of explicit child abuse material (images and videos). Several personal computers, hard drives, flash drives, tablets and cellphones which contain explicit child abuse material (child pornography) were seized during the operation for further investigation and as exhibits.”
The first arrest was made in Rietfontein, Pretoria on 10 February. A 30-year-old man, living with his parents, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and was granted bail. His case was postponed to 12 March.
A second man, aged 42, was arrested the same day in Claremont, Pretoria.
“He is a married father of three. He has also appeared in court and his case was postponed to 28 February.”
On 11 February, the police detained a third man, aged 62.
“He is a married pensioner who owns a day care centre which is managed by his wife. He appeared at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court and his case was remanded to 17 February.
On 13 February, a fourth man, aged, 42 was arrested in Daspoort, Pretoria, where he was found living with his parents. He appeared in court and will appear again on 8 April.
The last and fifth man, aged 34, was arrested in Kempton Park.
“He has a previous conviction of rape and sexual assault for which he received a five-year suspended sentence that will end on 15 March. He will be appearing in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” the police confirmed.
“Another search warrant was executed in Garsfontein, Pretoria. The suspect was not arrested as there was no material found in his premises but his electronic equipment was seized for further investigation. The suspect has a pending 2012 case of possession of child pornography and bestiality due for judgment on 20 April.”
All five accused were granted bail of R5,000.
“They cannot be named as the police are still conducting thorough investigations and cannot rule out the possibility that some of the children on the material that has been confiscated might be South African and therefore their identity has to be protected.”
