The Bonteheuwel community has welcomed progress in the case against a woman accused of selling her toddler’s nude pictures on the dark web.
The 32-year-old is now expected to make her first appearance in the Parow Regional Court on February 1, after numerous postponements to the case after her initial arrest by the FBI nine months ago.
The woman appeared in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court earlier this week, where a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) relating to her charges was expected.
Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie, who has been present at every one of the mother’s court appearances, said he was pleased with the progress of the case after it was been postponed more than five times.
“I welcome the decision taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions to transfer the case against an alleged mother who sexually assaulted and sold pictures of her child on the dark web,” he said.
“This is, indeed, progress in this long outstanding matter. The child affected by this horror can rest assured that we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit for justice.
“Justice delayed is indeed justice denied, and we sincerely hope that at her next court appearance on 1 February 2022 at the Parow Regional Court. The court will not only take the evidence into consideration, but also the overwhelming community frustration.
“That said, we are encouraged that as we close this year off, our pressure on this matter has seen it progress to a higher court.”
The woman is facing charges of manufacturing of child pornography, possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and financial gain from child pornography and rape.
Her arrest on March 11 came after an agent from Homeland Security, masquerading as a potential buyer, traced her to Bonteheuwel after she allegedly received payments via PayPal.