South African authorities have made an arrest in connection with the distribution of pornographic materials featuring the faces of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Bheki Cele, and Cele’s wife superimposed on them. The arrest came after the images were circulated on social media and shared with police officers.
The South African police launched an investigation into the matter, leading them to track down the suspect in the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg. On Sunday, May 21, 2023, the 34-year-old man was apprehended, and authorities seized a device and SIM cards believed to have been used in the distribution of the explicit content.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court in Pretoria on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. He will face charges under the Cyber Crimes Act, specifically for contravening the law related to unlawfully accessing or processing computer data.
While the distribution of pornography is restricted in South Africa, the act of viewing or possessing it is not illegal.