An acclaimed actor from Durban has been apprehended in connection with an ongoing investigation into a child pornography ring operating in South Africa and the United States.
The actor, whose identity is legally protected until a plea is entered, was apprehended at his residence in Glenwood and subsequently taken to the Umbilo police station, where he faced formal charges.
Appearing in a Durban court this week for the first time, he was remanded in custody pending a bail application scheduled for early next month.
Authorities believe this recent arrest is linked to an ongoing probe into a child pornography syndicate operating across South Africa and the United States.
In January, a 32-year-old individual faced similar charges, as reported by IOL. He was one of three men arrested in connection with the distribution and possession of child pornography.
According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national police spokesperson, the arrests were made in a collaborative effort between the South African Police Service (SAPS) Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) unit and the American Homeland Security department.
Last November, law enforcement detained a 43-year-old man in possession of thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography at a flat in Umbilo.
Mathe disclosed that nearly 30 suspects have been implicated in activities involving the possession, distribution, manufacturing, accessing, and downloading of child pornography.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.