The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested two suspects for possession and distribution of drug-facilitated sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material, following a multi-disciplinary operation in Gauteng.
The national Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) team received an intelligence report from the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the British High Commission regarding a South African target who was believed to be involved in drug-facilitated sexual assault and somnophilia or “sleep fetish”.
“The 34-year-old husband drugged, raped his wife and distributed pornographic material of him performing sexual acts on her without consent on an exclusive social media channel over a period of five years,” the police said in a statement.
“The victim appeared sedated and in a state of unconsciousness when these serious sexual offences were committed. Innovative investigative techniques and analysis led a multi-disciplinary team to the location of the suspect who was arrested in Boksburg on Thursday, 26 March 2026,” said the police.
The team comprised investigators from the national and provincial SECI team in Gauteng, supported by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the United States Embassy.
“Forensic experts at the scene uncovered multiple images and videos relating to drug-facilitated sexual assault as well as child sexual abuse material which were found on the suspect’s electronic devices,” the police said.
On the same day, further investigation led the team to another suspect in Germiston with a similar modus operandi.
The two suspects are known to each other.
Police also seized the 48-year-old suspect’s electronic devices and two unlicensed firearms found in his possession.
“Both suspects are expected appear before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court today on charges that include sexual assault, possession of unlicensed firearm, possession, distribution and manufacturing of child sexual abuse material as well as contravention of Section 16 of the Cyber Crimes Act, namely sharing of intimate images without consent of the victim,” the police said.
Investigations and forensic analysis of the suspects' devices remain ongoing. – SAnews.gov.za
