On Wednesday the 30th July 2025 just before the start of Women’s Month police apprehended a 59-year-old suspect in Standerton in Mpumalanga for the possession of child sexual abuse material.
The arrest brought the total number of 16 arrests made under OPERATION BAD VIBES so far.
On Wednesday, 30 July 2025, an integrated team executed a search-and-seizure warrant, which led to the arrest of the suspect. During the operation, the team also seized 15 licensed firearms and several digital devices.
While processing the scene, forensic expert’s uncovered more than 56 000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse material; the forensic investigation is ongoing.
The operation was led by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit in Mpumalanga, with support from Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), US Embassy, the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), and designated firearm officers in Standerton.
The suspect appeared in the Standerton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 31 July 2025. The case has been postponed to 04 August 2025 for a formal bail application.
