Operation Bad Vibes: Police seize over 56,000 child sexual abuse images and videos in Standerton
The 59-year-old suspect was arrested.
Image: SAPS
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.
Police seized several digital devices.
Image: SAPS
The police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk said this now brought the total number of arrests made under Operation Bad Vibes to 16.
She said the operation was executed on Wednesday, July 30.
“An integrated team executed a search-and-seizure warrant, which led to the arrest of the suspect. 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,” Van Wyk said.
Police also seized 15 licensed firearms.
Image: SAPS
The operation was led by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit in Mpumalanga, with support from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the US Embassy, the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), and designated firearm officers in Standerton.
The suspect made his first court appearance on Thursday. The case has been postponed until August 4, 2025, for a formal bail application.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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