Pretoria - A Johannesburg man arrested for possession, manufacturing and distribution of child pornography will appear in the Bloemfontein High Court this morning.
The 43-year-old man, whose identity cannot be disclosed in order to protect the identities of his victims, was arrested in Sasolburg in the Free State in 2014.
Police say he is facing 935 charges, which include rape and sexual assault.
The man was detected by law enforcement authorities of Australia and Canada, who then informed their South African colleagues. Further investigations led them to an address in the Free State.
“So far 19 victims, whose ages range from 10 to 13, have been identified. Further investigations into this man are still on as the police believe there may still be other victims out there,” police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said.
During his arrest, police confiscated several items such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, sex toys, pornographic DVDs, magazines, as well as girls’ underwear.
Naidoo said police are encouraged by this arrest, as it sends a clear message to other criminals.
He appealed to parents and guardians to look out for any signs of abuse in their children.
“It is important to know who your children are chatting to on their cell phones and computers,” said Naidoo.
Some of the signs that a child is being abused are sudden changes in behaviour such as being easily irritable, marks on the body, unusual knowledge and interest in sex, withdrawal from all activities and disciplinary problems. - SAnews.gov.za
