Law enforcement officials are unravelling a network of child sexual predators across the country, with three men arrested last week by the SAPS’ Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Unit (SECI).

Those arrested include a 43-year-old man from Benoni, a 63-year-old illegal immigrant in Springs, and 43-year-old man in Krugersdorp.

The trio was arrested in a simultaneous takedown operation relating to several suspects identified as South African users who are involved in the possession, distribution, manufacturing, accessing and downloading of child pornography.

According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SECI members, working in collaboration with the USA Department of Homeland Security, conducted preliminary investigations on the users.

They identified various provinces in which the suspects reside.

Mathe says the Benoni resident faces charges relating to child pornography, including possession, distributing, accessing, downloading, facilitating, viewing and facilitating the distribution of child pornography.

“In Springs, the police arrested a 63-year-old male British citizen found to be in the country illegally.

“The suspect faces offences related to bestiality when police seized material of him allegedly having sexual intercourse with a dog.

“Other offences are related to child pornography, including possession, distribution, accessing, downloading, facilitating, viewing, facilitating the distribution and making available child pornography, exposure of a child to adult and child pornography, and grooming of a child,” says Mathe.

The third suspect, a 43-year-old male, was arrested in Krugersdorp. He also faces charges relating to child pornography, including possession, accessing, downloading and viewing.

“As a result of these operations, three South African children used during the commission of the above offences were identified, and a dog was saved. The operations will continue throughout the country to unravel a network of child sexual predators,” says Mathe.

The trio appeared in various magistrate’s courts, including Springs, Benoni and Krugersdorp on November 13. Their cases were postponed for further investigation and bail applications.

The SECI is a unit within the detectives divisions under the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Investigations (FCS) Unit. The members investigate, trace and apprehend serial rapists and electronic crimes relating to online child sexual exploitation.