The news that a 41-year-old man from Hermanus had been arrested for the possession and distribution of child pornography was greeted with outrage by many who insist he be “named and shamed.”
A particular source of outrage was the suspect’s release on R10 000 bail, with comments that he should be locked up and the key thrown away. One woman’s comment reads: “So, after bail of a mere R10 000 he is a free man, out and about in our community until the hearing on 12 September? How is this okay? I am never one to comment or judge. But when it comes to children and protecting them, our laws fail tremendously!
“If there is even a 0,001% chance that another child can be affected or impacted or anything at all, the laws should be much stricter. This person should in no way or by any means whatsoever be able to live freely, free to do anything. I am absolutely terrified, angry, sick and disgusted that this is a reality in our town!”
Another commented: “This guy needs to be named. Why are such people protected, what about the poor kids and everything they have to go through now?”
The suspect, an IT specialist who cannot be identified until he has pleaded to the charges against him, was arrested in Hermanus on Thursday 5 June by members of the Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) Unit for possession and distribution of child sexual-abuse material (child pornography). He appeared in Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on Monday 9 June, before being released on bail.
National Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk stated the arrest was made following a tip-off from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the USA.
“Further investigation by the Western Cape SECI team led to tracing and locating the suspect in Hermanus. Various digital devices found in his possession were seized during the arrest.” She added that the suspect at this stage was not linked to a syndicate and the investigation is ongoing.
Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in the Western Cape, confirmed that the suspect had been released on bail of R10 000 and the case was postponed to 12 September 2025 for further investigation.
“More charges are likely to be added as the investigation continues,” Ntabazalila said.
The suspect, whose identity is known to the Hermanus Times, described himself on his Facebook profile as a “digital creator”.
Accompanying this description is a quote, “The question isn’t who is going to let me, it’s who is going to stop me . . .”
Child sexual-abuse material
The 41-year-old IT specialist’s arrest came just a few days after a father of three from Wellington was sentenced in the Paarl Regional Court to 36 years direct imprisonment after being convicted of four counts of rape of his biological children and several counts of producing, possession and distribution of child pornography.
The 27-year-old father pleaded guilty to the more than 600 charges against him and admitted he had sold photos and videos of his children in erotic poses and committing sexual acts for between US$5 and US$10 per photo. The court ordered that he be eligible for parole only after serving two thirds of his sentence.
In the most recent case a couple from Bloubergstrand were arrested on Tuesday 10 June for producing child sexual-abuse material and the rape, sexual assault and sexual grooming of their daughters, aged 3 and 8.
The police said in a statement that the arrests resulted from a multidisciplinary team effort, by the national and Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units,the Department of Social Development (DSD), and two US agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The victims were rescued during the operation and have since been placed in a place of safety.
Van Wyk said several electronic devices were also seized during the arrest and “the investigation remains ongoing.”
