An alleged cyber child sexual predator from Brackenfell in the Western Cape is remanded in custody in the Free State following the postponement of his application for bail. The 50-year-old man is expected to reappear in the Dewetsdorp Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 19 June, for his bail application.

The matter was postponed after he appeared on Thursday, 12 June. The suspect first appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court regarding the matter.

Capt Loraine Earle, spokesperson for the provincial police, said the postponement was to afford the suspect the opportunity to appoint an attorney of his choice. She said the man faces multiple charges. These include sexual exploitation, sexual grooming, facilitating the creation of child pornography, recruiting a child for financial or other rewards for the purpose of creating child pornography, and using a child for the purpose of benefiting from pornography. These charges pertain to two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16 years.

The Free State Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) unit traced and arrested the man for his alleged involvement with minors in Dewetsdorp. He was arrested in the Western Cape in May, with the case then transferred to the Free State.

The police reported that electronic devices were seized during his arrest. This arrest follows a complaint lodged in February 2025 by a clinical psychologist at a school in Dewetsdorp. Earle said the investigation was ongoing in the matter.

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    Vista E-edition 10 July 2025