Gauteng, South Africa - The South African Police Service (SAPS) Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) unit, in a collaborative effort with the United States Department of Homeland Security, has apprehended three individuals in Gauteng for involvement in child pornography.

According to South African Government News Agency, The arrests, which occurred over the past week, were part of a synchronized operation targeting a group of South African users engaged in the possession, distribution, manufacturing, accessing, and downloading of child pornography. The SECI unit, both at Head Office and in Gauteng, conducted preliminary investigations leading to the identification of various provinces where the suspects reside.

Following months of investigation and planning, the perpetrators were located in Gauteng, and a joint operation was executed. In Springs, Gauteng, a 63-year-old British citizen, who was discovered to be in South Africa illegally, was arrested. This individual faces charges related to bestiality and other offenses connected to child pornography, including possession and distribution.

Additionally, a 43-year-old South African male was apprehended in Benoni, Gauteng, and another 43-year-old South African male was taken into custody in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. Both individuals are facing charges related to child pornography.

As a result of these operations, three South African children used in the commission of these offenses were identified and rescued, and a dog was also saved. The SAPS has announced that operations will continue nationwide to dismantle a network of child sexual predators.

The arrested individuals have already appeared in various courts, including Springs, Benoni, and Krugersdorp Magistrates Court in Gauteng on Monday. Their cases were postponed for further investigation and bail applications.

The SECI unit, operating under the Detectives divisions within the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Investigations (FCS) unit, focuses on investigating, tracing, and apprehending serial rapists and electronic crimes related to online child sexual exploitation.