Latest news with #AmandaVanWyk
News24
02-08-2025
- News24
SA man with 56 000 child abuse images arrested as international operation nets major bust
Police found over 56 000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse during a raid at the man's Standerton home, along with 15 licensed firearms and digital devices. The arrest was part of Operation Bad Vibes, a joint initiative between SAPS, US Homeland Security Investigations, and the US Embassy launched in 2023. The man appeared in court on Thursday after his Wednesday arrest, with a bail application on Monday. A 59-year-old man from Mpumalanga who was arrested with over 56 000 child abuse videos and images is expected to make a formal bail application on Monday. The man was arrested on Wednesday at his home in Standerton during a police operation, as part of Operation Bad Vibes, a joint initiative between the South African Police Service, US Homeland Security Investigations, and the US Embassy. 'During the operation, the team also seized 15 licensed firearms and several digital devices,' said police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk. While police were processing the scene, Van Wyk said, forensic experts uncovered more than 56 000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse. She said the operation was led by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations unit in Mpumalanga, with support from Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), US Embassy, the Local Criminal Record Centre, and designated firearm officers in Standerton. 'Initiated in 2023, Operation Bad Vibes is a joint initiative between the SAPS, HSI, US Embassy, aimed at tracing and arresting individuals in South Africa who are linked to accessing, possession, manufacturing, and distribution of child sexual abuse material on a global scale,' Van Wyk added. The man appeared in the Standerton Magistrate's Court on Thursday. The case was postponed to Monday for a formal bail application.
The South African
02-08-2025
- The South African
Mpumalanga man appears in court over 56 000 child abuse files
A 59-year-old man from Mpumalanga appeared in the Standerton Magistrate's Court after police arrested him for allegedly possessing more than 56 000 child sexual abuse videos and images. 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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
24-07-2025
- News24
Chinese fraud fugitive arrested in Sandton after Interpol Red Notice
A 57-year-old Chinese fugitive was arrested and has appeared in court following a global search initiated by Interpol, police said on Thursday. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the man had been linked to a fraud case in China and had been evading police in that country and in South Africa. Van Wyk said the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria extradition team arrested the man in Sandton on Tuesday. 'According to a preliminary report, Interpol circulated a Red Notice to all member countries to locate and provisionally arrest the Chinese national. 'The suspect reportedly applied for a visa at the United States of America embassy in Sandton when his fugitive status was flagged, leading to his arrest on Tuesday,' van Wyk said. The man made his first appearance in the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
News24
29-06-2025
- News24
6 arrested after cops confiscate counterfeit goods worth more than R19m in Bloemfontein
Police confiscated over 13 000 counterfeit items worth more than R19 million in Bloemfontein. Most of the goods, including clothing, shoes, bags, and jewellery, were imitations of high-end luxury brands. Six foreign nationals have been arrested. Police arrested six foreign nationals and seized counterfeit goods worth more than R19 million during separate take-down operations in the Bloemfontein CBD. Over the course of two days, police confiscated more than 13 000 counterfeit items that included clothing, shoes, bags, and jewellery, the majority of which were imitations of high-end luxury brands, said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk. 'The operations were led by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, with support from members of Public Order Policing (POP) in Bloemfontein, officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs division, brand protectors, and private security personnel,' said Van Wyk. The search and seizure warrants were done in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act at targeted shops in the Bloemfontein CBD. The six individuals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act. One of the suspects is also facing an additional charge for resisting arrest. 'The SAPS remains committed to disrupting and dismantling the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods in order to protect consumers, safeguard legitimate businesses, and support the South African economy,' Van Wyk added.
The Herald
28-06-2025
- The Herald
Kidnap victim rescued and two arrests made
The police national anti-kidnapping task team rescued a 30-year-old kidnap victim on Friday and arrested two suspects during an operation in Germiston on the East Rand. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Amanda van Wyk, the victim's vehicle was reportedly found abandoned in Dawnpark. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will,' Van Wyk said. Within 24 hours, intelligence directed the task team to an identified address in Germiston. With support from a tactical unit, the team entered the premises and rescued the victim. 'Two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shoot-out with police. The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday' Last week police traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment block in Fourways, Johannesburg. The suspect, linked to several kidnappings, was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police. 'The SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and bringing perpetrators to justice,' Van Wyk said. TimesLIVE
