Latest news with #OperationBadVibes
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- The Citizen
Over 56 000 child porn files confiscated: Standerton man remains behind bars
A 59-year-old man is due to appear in the Standerton Magistrate's Court on August 18 in connection with the possession of more than 56 000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse. Ridge Times reports that he appeared in the Standerton Magistrate's Court for a bail application yesterday, but it was postponed to August 18. The man was arrested when the police conducted an operation in Standerton last Wednesday. An integrated team executed a search-and-seizure warrant, which led to the arrest of the accused. During the operation, the team also seized 15 licensed firearms and several digital devices. While processing the scene, forensic experts uncovered more than 56 000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse material. The forensic investigation is ongoing. The operation was led by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Unit in Mpumalanga, with support from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Embassy, the Local Criminal Record Centre and designated firearm officers in Standerton. The suspect first appeared in the Standerton Magistrate's Court last Thursday. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk confirmed that the arrest was part of Operation Bad Vibes and brought the arrests under the national campaign to 16. Initiated in 2023, Operation Bad Vibes is a joint initiative between the SAPS and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Embassy, aimed at tracing and arresting people in South Africa who are linked to accessing, possessing, manufacturing and distributing child sexual abuse material on a global scale. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
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.
IOL News
01-08-2025
- IOL News
Operation Bad Vibes: Police seize over 56,000 child sexual abuse images and videos in Standerton
A 59-year-old man from Mpumalanga appeared in the Standerton Magistrate's Court for possession of over 56,000 child sexual abuse materials. The arrest was conducted under Operation Bad Vibes in Standerton. Initiated in 2023, Operation Bad Vibes is a joint initiative between the SAPS and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (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.
