Fourth online child predator arrested in KZN
The police have arrested a fourth suspect linked to a ring of 27 online child predators.
The suspect was arrested at a flat in Umbilo in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the 60-year-old man was found with thousands of images and videos of child pornography.
"He forms part of the 27 online child sexual predators that have been identified in South Africa by a joint international operation led by the SAPS’ Serial and Electronic Investigations unit and the USA Department of Homeland Security," said Mathe.
Last week, three other suspects were arrested in Gauteng.
The trio appeared at Springs, Benoni and Krugersdorp Magistrates Courts on charges of possession, distribution, manufacturing, accessing and downloading of child pornography.
Mathe said three South African children who were used during the commission of the offences were identified, and a dog saved.
The cases have been postponed for further investigation and bail applications.
In recent years, South Africa has become a hunting ground for online child sexual predators who use the Internet and social media to target minors.
Mathe urged parents to monitor their children’s devices on a daily basis to prevent more children from becoming victims.
"The SAPS also encourages parents to install parental software and apps that are able to block harmful content on chats and apps.”
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