Assets of Couple Accused of Child Pornography Seized

11 MARCH 2025

Assets of Couple Accused of Child Pornography Seized

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) launched an urgent application seeking the preservation of cash seized at the crime scene as well as other cash in a frozen bank account belonging to Darryn Wilken and his girlfriend Tiona Megan Moodley which was granted by the High Court of South Africa on 17 February 2025. This followed the execution of a search and seizure warrant obtained on 17 January 2025 by the Cybercrime Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) that initially arrested Wilken on, amongst other charges, manufacturing and distributing child pornography, possession of drugs and money laundering.

This culminated from collaborative investigations conducted by the SAPS together with US Law Enforcement Agencies, which included the FBI and US Secret Services. Wilken allegedly operated a child pornography website, offering child sexual abuse material for sale worldwide to would-be clients. He operated this ‘enterprise’ from residential premises situated in a complex in Midrand, hosting child pornography on a website which contained what is believed to be the largest cache of such found in South Africa to date. 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.

Following further evidence gathered by the SAPS, an accomplice and Wilken’s girlfriend, Moodley, was also arrested on charges of the manufacturing and distribution of child pornography hosted on a website, as well as charges of money laundering. Through the joint efforts of a multi-disciplinary international team comprising of the US Secret Service, the FBI, SAPS, Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)and the AFU, the property belonging to the accused was seized.

The accused subsequently appeared in the Randburg Regional Court, where their legal representatives launched a bail application. The application was successfully opposed by the State Advocate representing the NPA. The Court handed down judgment on 14 February 2025, denying the accused bail. The investigation into the matter is ongoing both locally and abroad so as to protect the rights of children.

Issued by:
 

Phindi Mjonondwane

NPA Regional Spokesperson-

Gauteng Division, Johannesburg

Tel: 011 220 4245

Mobile: 083 402 4787

Email: hmjonondwane@npa.gov.za