Mpumalanga man appears in court over 56 000 child abuse files
Police carried out the arrest on Wednesday, 30 July, during Operation Bad Vibes, a joint initiative between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in collaboration with the US Embassy.
Launched in 2023, Operation Bad Vibes aims to trace and arrest individuals allegedly involved in accessing, possessing, manufacturing, and distributing child sexual abuse material.
The operation targets offenders operating within South Africa who are linked to global child exploitation networks.
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk confirmed that this arrest brought the total number of suspects apprehended under Operation Bad Vibes to 16.
An integrated law enforcement team executed a search-and-seizure warrant at the suspect's property in Standerton. During the operation, officers seized 15 licensed firearms and multiple digital devices.
'Forensic experts processed the scene and allegedly uncovered more than 56 000 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material,' said Van Wyk.
'The forensic investigation is still ongoing,' she added.
The Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit in Mpumalanga led the operation.
The Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), designated firearm officers in Standerton, HSI, and the US Embassy provided operational support.
The suspect made his first court appearance on Thursday, 31 July. The court postponed the case to 4 August 2025 for a formal bail application.
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