The case against a Gauteng couple accused of running a child pornography distribution ring has been postponed to June.
The State revealed that it has taken hundreds of hours to download all the material from the accuseds' electronic devices. Local police are being assisted by international police units to further unpack material.
"This kind of investigation cannot be done by one man alone. The investigation is under way but it is far from being finalised. The biggest allegation is that the accused traded in crypto currency, that in itself poses a challenge for the investigation, and here, we are being assisted by the private sector," the State's advocate said.
She added that it is difficult to estimate how long the investigations will take.
Darren Wilken and Tiona Moodley appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court where the Magistrate remanded the matter to June 20 pending further investigations.
Wilken, 35, was arrested in Midrand on January 17. Moodley, 25, was arrested on January 23.
The couple will remain in custody as their bail application was denied.
Wilken will apply for legal aid. He claimed that the legal team who previously represented him "was not available".
He told the court that his mother advised him to apply for legal aid.
The court also heard that further charges could be added to the couple's charge sheet.
Wilken faces multiple charges, including multiple counts of possession, creation, and distribution of child pornography, the Contravention of the Drug Trafficking Act, acquisition, possession/use of the proceeds of unlawful activities, possession of stolen property, and fraud.
Moodley faces charges of manufacturing and distribution of child pornography hosted on a website, as well as charges of money laundering
Earlier this month, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was granted permission to seize Wilken's assets as part of the investigation.
NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane, said Wilken’s luxury vehicle was also seized.
"It brazenly reflected a registration number KIDZ NA GP. The luxury vehicle, high-end electronic equipment and R647,300 in cash were the subjects of the search and seizure warrant," she said.
IOL