Back Print this page
Legalbrief   |   your legal news hub Friday 29 March 2024

Suspected child porn pastor arrested

A Rondebosch, Cape Town, youth pastor has been arrested in connection with sexual offences suspected to involve as many as 60 children. The 26-year-old man was arrested on the church premises a week ago. A report on the News24 site notes that he faces charges of possession of child pornography and failing to report knowledge of the commission of a sexual offence with children. Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said charges are likely to be added as the investigation is still under way. ‘The suspect allegedly hacked into his victims' social media accounts and exchanged naked photos with some of the boys in his church under the pretext that he was a girl,’ Naidoo said. The police's Serial and Electronic Crimes Investigation section of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit arrested the pastor following a joint investigation with the Hawks and the US Homeland Security. Police seized several electronic items that include cell phones, a laptop, a tablet and memory cards, which will be sent for analysis.