The girlfriend of the 35-year-old man who was arrested last week after being found in possession of millions of images and videos of child pornography at his Midrand home has also been arrested. The woman faces charges of possession of child pornography and money laundering.

LINKED BY EVIDENCE

According to the South African Police Service, the 25-year-old woman, who is a web designer by profession, was arrested in Houghton yesterday. "This arrest follows the takedown of her 35-year-old boyfriend, who was apprehended last week during a joint operation conducted by the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units in Midrand," said police spokesperson Colonel Amanda van Wyk. She added that an intensive investigation by the SECI Units uncovered evidence linking the woman to criminal activities, including the possession of an estimated 10 million child pornography images and videos. "These materials were discovered on various electronic devices seized during an operation on Friday, 17 January 2025."

SHE WILL JOIN HER BOYFRIEND AND ACCOMPLICE ON THE DOCK

The woman's boyfriend, Darry Wilken, appeared at the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Monday and his case was postponed while he was remanded in custody. The National Prosecuting Authority said on Monday that the matter was postponed to allow the police to investigate money laundering charges after he was reportedly found with more than R560,000 during his arrest. It is suspected that the money is possibly the proceeds of the sale of the illegal visual material. During Wilken's arrest a week ago, several electronic devices suspected to contain child sexual abuse material were confiscated. "A forensic analysis of these devices was conducted on the scene by cybercrime experts,' Van Wyk said. The couple will appear in the dock together at the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, 27 January 2025.