Noluthando Ngeno 28 April 2024 | 10:00

SAPS vows to crack down on manufacturing of child pornography

This follows the arrests of 13 people from different parts of the country who were found downloading, facilitating and viewing sexual acts involving children.

SAPS vows to crack down on manufacturing of child pornography

Picture: Pixabay.com

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Police Service (SAPS) has vowed to crack down on the manufacturing of child pornography.
 
This follows the arrests of 13 people from different parts of the country who were found downloading, facilitating and viewing sexual acts involving children.

National Commissioner Fannie Masemola says police will continue to trace more suspects behind this type of crime.

The SAPS says its main priority is to protect women, children and vulnerable groups against violence and crimes perpetrated against them.

Last week a 12th suspect, a 58-year-old man appeared in court for being in possession of hundreds of images and videos showing children involved in sexual acts.

"The thirteenth suspect, a 62-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, 24 April 2024. Thousands of child porn images and videos were seized. On his device, police found images of children being sexually abused. During the operation, the Department of Social Development assisted to remove children aged 6-years-old and 4 months who were living on the same property," said SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

Other arrests of suspects involved in child porn were made in Gauteng and the Western Cape last year.

The police have warned the public that being in possession of and downloading child pornography on a device is a criminal offence and that they will not stop until more suspects are arrested.