Take a stand against child porn
Children’s rights activists have made a call on Plettenberg Bay residents to take a stand against child pornography by participating in a march through the streets of the coastal holiday town on Saturday, April 18.
This march takes place just four days before the next court appearance of a local computer engineer who was arrested earlier this year for alleged links to a horrific baby pornography network.
The 37-year-old man was arrested on January 13 during a joint sting operation by South African and Belgian police for his alleged involvement in an international pornography ring distributing images and videos involving the brutal sexual assault of babies – some as young as a only few days old.
He appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court the following day. He was subsequently released on R10 000 bail and the case was postponed until April 22 for further investigation.
The incident has made headlines across South Africa and has seen a massive public outcry. More than 2 000 Plett residents and visitors have already signed a petition in an attempt to bring an end to the granting of bail to alleged paedophiles and more than 300 residents joined in a march through Plett’s streets to voice their concerns on February 7.
“We can’t just do this once and think it is enough. We will continue until we are heard,” march organiser Yvette Wilschut said.
She therefore organised another march for Saturday after which another petition will be handed over to local police. “We encourage everyone to take a stand with us and help fight against these horrors.”
The march will again start at the Phakamisani Primary School in Kwanokuthula at 10:00. From there it will proceed to the Plettenberg Bay Secondary School to include the New Horizons community and then join up with Qolweni residents in Green Oak Road before heading to the Shell garage and Plett central through High Street and then into Marine Way. From there residents will march to the local police station to hand over their petition to police.
Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) will also show their support of the cause by sending representatives to Plettenberg Bay for the court appearance.