Durban actor arrested in international child porn ring investigation denied bail

A Durban actor arrested as part of an international crackdown on online predators has been denied bail.

At issue is whether the country will move toward full decriminalisation, removing penalties for both the selling and buying of sex or adopt an alternative model that seeks to protect vulnerable individuals while penalising exploiters. Stock photo.
At issue is whether the country will move toward full decriminalisation, removing penalties for both the selling and buying of sex or adopt an alternative model that seeks to protect vulnerable individuals while penalising exploiters. Stock photo. (123RF/tinnakornlek)
Police arrested a Durban actor at his home in connection with an international child porn ring.
Police arrested a Durban actor at his home in connection with an international child porn ring. (SAPS)

A Durban actor arrested in an international crackdown on online predators has been denied bail.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the 58-year-old actor appeared in the Durban magistrate's court on Friday.

His arrest is part of a joint operation between SAPS’ serial and electronic crime investigations unit and the US homeland department. The operation has so far resulted in the arrests of 13 people.

He was arrested at his Glenwood flat last Tuesday and police seized images and chats allegedly about information relating to boys available for sexual favours for R2,500 and a willing buyer having a choice to drug them.

The matter, which was held in camera to allow police to continue their  investigations, has been postponed to June 3.

Police also arrested a 62-year-old man on April 24 and seized thousands of child porn images and videos. They allegedly found images of children being sexually abused on his device.

During the operation, social development helped remove children aged six and four months living on the same property.

Witnesses said police spent more than an hour with the actor at his flat before he was arrested.

The SAPS previously confirmed 27 people had been identified in South Africa in a joint SAPS and US homeland investigation and were being arrested separately.

TimesLIVE


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