Alleged child sex ring kingpin nabbed in Florida

Florida police has confirmed that alleged child sex ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman has been rearrested after contravening his bail conditions and went missing on Friday, January 27.

The arrest of Ackerman at Florida Junction Shopping Centre happened on Sunday, January 29 after he allegedly sold some of his assets and vacated the premises he was residing in.

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Florida Police Station Commander, Colonel Amos Tsotetsi confirmed to the Record that residents spotted and recognised Ackerman and called the police.

Tsotetsi said that he is being detained at the Florida police station and will appear in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Monday, January 30.

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The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Gauteng Local Division, Advocate Andrew Chauke thanked the public for their vigilance that led to the apprehension of Ackerman, following the warrant of arrest that was issued by the High Court of South Africa Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg on Saturday, January 28.

“The role played by the media in his apprehension must be applauded as the images circulated by the media led to members of the public spotting Ackerman in Florida.

“They immediately arrested him and called the local police who acted swiftly to affect the warrant of arrest,” said Chauke.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, Ackerman failed to appear in court on Thursday, January 26 and his non-compliance to the order of the court to furnish the state with a medical certificate by Friday, January 27 and his disappearance from his place of residence without any notification to the investigating officer, prompted the NPA to approach the above-mentioned court with an urgent application to revoke his bail.

Ackerman faces 740 charges ranging from rape, attempted murder, distribution of child porn, human trafficking of minor children for sexual exploitation.

The trial against him is set to continue in the High Court of South Africa Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg as previously scheduled before his disappearance.