‘Can’t reach my lawyers’ – Darryn Wilken opts for legal aid

Wilken and Tiona Moodley appeared briefly before the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

They face numerous charges related to cybercrimes and money laundering.

The matter was postponed after Wilken told the court he was unable to reach his lawyers and would be seeking the services of a Legal Aid lawyer.

In March, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) seized assets belonging to Wilken and Moodley.

This followed the granting of an urgent application in the High Court, brought by the NPA, which sought the preservation of cash seized at the crime scene as well as other cash in a frozen bank account belonging to the pair.

At the time, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonodwane said Wilken's luxury vehicle was also seized.

"The luxury vehicle, high-end electronic equipment, and R647,300 in cash were the subjects of the search and seizure warrant, and they brazenly reflected the registration number KIDZ NA GP."

Wilken and Moodley, who had been dating for more than two years, were arrested on separate occasions in January following the discovery of more than 10 million videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of minors at their Midrand apartment.

It’s alleged that the couple’s cover was blown when a sextortion complaint by an underaged girl in the United States of America led investigators to a global syndicate that Wilken allegedly ran.

They were denied bail on Valentine’s Day after the state vehemently opposed their release.

READ MORE: Child abuse material accused Wilken, Moodley denied bail

When delivering bail judgment, Magistrate Pravina Raghunandan said the court had found that if the pair were released on bail, the sense of peace and security amongst local and international community members would be undermined and that the public's confidence in the criminal justice system would be jeopardised.

Wilken and Moodley are set to return to court on 20 June.

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