A 16-year-old teenager from Malmesbury in the Western Cape is expected to appear in court on Tuesday after being linked to an international child exploitation network.
The teenager was arrested on allegations involving the accessing, possession, facilitation and downloading of child sexual abuse material. Police said the investigation involved cooperation between South African and international law enforcement agencies.
Western Cape Teen Arrest Follows FBI Intelligence
National SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Team worked with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Embassy and National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
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Intelligence received during the investigation indicated that a suspected target linked to violent online networks known as “764” was believed to be in South Africa. Investigators subsequently traced the teenager to Malmesbury.
SAPS Investigation Targets ‘764’ Network
Van Wyk said the “764” networks are violent international online extremist networks associated with child exploitation.
“The “764” networks are violent international online extremist networks associated with child exploitation. These perpetrators reportedly target, blackmail, and coerce minors into online sexual abuse, torturing and murdering of animals and other forms of harmful criminal activity,” she said.
The teenager was traced to an address in Malmesbury and arrested on Monday. The operation involved the National SECI Team, Occult Unit, Paarl Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, Paarl K9 Unit and Western Cape Crime Scene Investigation Unit, alongside agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
Malmesbury Child Exploitation Case Under Investigation
Police said an initial examination of electronic devices seized during the operation uncovered suspected child sexual abuse material and content depicting animal mutilation.
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“A preliminary on-site analysis of the suspect’s electronic devices uncovered explicit images and videos depicting child sexual abuse and animal mutilation. The devices will undergo comprehensive forensic analysis to determine the full extent of the alleged offences,” van Wyk said.
Police confirmed that several child victims have been identified so far. “The teenager is expected to appear before the Malmesbury Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, August 18. The possibility of additional offences relating to fraud and money laundering forms part of ongoing investigations,” van Wyk said.
