Mpumalanga man nabbed with over 56k videos, images of child abuse
A 59-year-old man has been arrested for the possession of child sexual abuse material in Standerton, Mpumalanga.
On Wednesday, an integrated team executed a search-and-seizure warrant, which led to the suspect's arrest.
During the operation, the team also seized 15 licensed firearms and several digital devices.
“While processing the scene, forensic experts uncovered more than 56-thousand videos and images depicting child sexual abuse material; the forensic investigation is ongoing,” said police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk.
According to Van Wyk, the operation was led by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Unit in Mpumalanga, with support from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the US Embassy, the Local Criminal Record Centre, and designated firearm officers in Standerton.
“The suspect appeared in the Standerton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 31 July 2025. The case has been postponed to 04 August 2025 for a formal bail application,” she added.
This brings the number of arrests made under Operation Bad Vibes to sixteen.
The operation was initiated in 2023 as a joint initiative between the SAPS and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations aimed at tracing and arresting suspects in South Africa who are linked to accessing, possessing, manufacturing, and distributing child sexual abuse material on a global scale.
ALSO READ:
