By: Natasha Archary

A Durban actor was amongst suspects arrested for possession and manufacturing of child pornography.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police made two more arrests last week, bringing the number of suspects arrested for possession, downloading, accessing and manufacturing child pornography to 13.
The actor who cannot be named until he pleads to the charges against him was arrested on Thursday, 25 April and made his first appearance at the Durban Magistrates court later that day.
Police linked the actor to a 60-year old man in Umbilo, who was arrested in November 2023.
It is alleged the pair exchanged videos and images of child pornography and bestiality.
“The 58-year old man was found in possession of hundreds of images and videos of children involved in sexual acts.
Included were images and chats where information relating to boys who are available for sexual favours at a price of R2 500 and a willing buyer having a choice to drug them.
The thirteenth suspect, a 62-year old man was arrested on Wednesday, 24 April. Thousands of child porn images and videos were seized. On his device, police found images of children being sexually abused.”
The arrests were made in a joint operation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the USA Department of Homeland Security.
A 6-year old child and 4-month old baby who were living on the same property as the 62-year old were removed and placed with the Department of Social Development.
SAPS reminds the public that being in possession, accessing, downloading, distributing, facilitating, viewing and manufacturing child pornography is a crime.
More arrests are expected to be made.
Child sex ring
In April 2023, Gerhard Ackerman was found guilty of over 740 charges relating to possession, dissemination and producing of child porn.
Ackerman, the leader of a child sex ring was slapped with 12 life sentences for heinous crimes against young boys.
The 52-year old was sentenced for charges including rape, attempted kidnapping, sexual exploitation, sexual grooming, and possession of child pornography.
Ackerman and his co-accused, Paul Kennedy lured young boys into a sex-ring, where they were groomed to have sex with men.
Kennedy, died by suicide before the trial could begin, leaving Ackerman to face the charges alone.
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