The two men facing charges related to the possession and distribution of drug-facilitated sexual abuse material and child sexual abuse material are expected to return to the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on April 10.
The pair made their second court appearance today (April 1) for a formal bail application.
However, the matter was postponed to allow accused number one time to consult with his defence lawyer, who had only taken on the case that day and was not prepared to proceed with the bail hearing.
In contrast, the defence lawyer for accused number two indicated readiness to proceed with the bail application.
The suspects, who are known to each other, face charges including sexual assault, as well as the possession, production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, and the unlawful sharing of intimate images.
Accused number two faces an additional charge of possession of unlicensed firearms.
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Accused number one was arrested during a coordinated SAPS operation in Boksburg, and further investigation led to the arrest of the second accused in Germiston.
This follows an intelligence-driven investigation into drug-facilitated sexual abuse and the circulation of child sexual abuse material.
The operation stemmed from a tip-off by the UK’s National Crime Agency, which was shared with SAPS’ Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Unit.
Investigators uncovered evidence that one suspect allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted his wife over several years, recording and distributing the material on an exclusive social media channel without her consent.
“The victim appeared sedated and in a state of unconsciousness when these serious sexual offences were committed,” said SAPS Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, as she was briefing the media on the investigation outside the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court.
The drug facilitated sexual act is known as somnophilia or ‘sleep fetish’.
Police stated that they uncovered multiple images and videos relating to drug-facilitated sexual assault, as well as material pointing to sexual abuse of a minor on the suspect’s electronic devices.
Forensic teams seized electronic devices containing explicit material linked to the offences, as well as unlicensed firearms.
The investigation involved collaboration between local and international law enforcement agencies, including US Homeland Security Investigations.
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