A 35-year-old man was arrested in Midrand last week on charges related to child pornography, prompting the state to request a seven-day remand for further investigation. The accused, whose identity has not been disclosed as he has yet to enter a plea, appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
During the arrest, police seized several electronic devices, which were later examined by cyber crime experts. Preliminary forensic analysis revealed an estimated 10 million images and videos containing inappropriate content. In addition to the devices, authorities also confiscated money believed to be linked to illegal activities.
As the investigation unfolded, further details were discovered by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) teams. It is alleged that the suspect may have been involved in hosting and distributing inappropriate content online on a global scale, potentially for financial gain.
Phindi Mjonondwana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), confirmed that the man faces provisional charges, including fraud, possession and distribution of inappropriate material, possession of suspected stolen property, and contravention of drug trafficking laws. Investigations are still ongoing, and additional charges, such as money laundering, may be considered.
The accused is scheduled to return to court on January 28 for a bail application. Authorities continue to focus on combating the distribution of harmful content online, ensuring a thorough investigation as the case develops.
