Police have arrested two parents in Bloubergstrand, on
Tuesday, for the alleged sexual abuse of their two daughters.
Police said the 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man
face multiple charges, including the production of child sexual abuse material
(commonly referred to as “child pornography”), rape, sexual assault, and sexual
grooming.
The three - and eight-year-old were rescued during the
operation and have since been placed in a place of safety.
‘’The operation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team
comprising members of the national and Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime
Investigations (SECI) Units, and officials from the Department of Social
Development (DSD) supported by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI). The suspects were located at a residence identified through joint
investigative efforts,’’ said Lt Col Amanda van Wyk, police spokesperson.
‘’Several electronic devices were seized during the arrest.
The investigation remains ongoing,’’ she added.
PICTURE: SAPSMeanwhile, a 50-year-old man from Cape Town, arrested in
Brackenfell by the Free State Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime
Investigations (SECI) Unit in May 2025, will remain in custody after the
postponement of his bail application today. The suspect’s bail application was
postponed as he has until 19 June 2025 to appoint an attorney of his choice. He
faces multiple charges, including sexual exploitation, sexual grooming,
facilitating the creation of child pornography, recruiting a child for
financial or other rewards for the purpose of creating child pornography and
using a child for the purpose of benefiting from pornography.
The arrest stems from a complaint filed in February 2025 by
a clinical psychologist at a school in Dewetsdorp. It was alleged that the suspect
exploited two boys, aged 15 and 16, by luring them with false promises of gifts
in exchange for sexually explicit videos and images.
‘’Once the case was referred to SECI, Constable Mosiuoa
Ntholeng was assigned as the lead investigator. He successfully traced and
arrested the suspect in Brackenfell on 26 May 2025. The accused initially
appeared briefly in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court, before being transferred
to the Dewetsdorp Magistrate’s Court, where he made his first appearance on 2
June 2025,’’ said Captain Loraine Earle, Free State police spokesperson.
‘’During the arrest, several electronic devices were
seized. A preliminary forensic analysis has uncovered evidence suggesting the
involvement of additional potential victims, aged between 14 and 16. As the
investigation unfolds, further charges may be added. Investigations are
ongoing,’’ she added.
Done by: Mitchum George
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