Gauteng High Court
1Min
South Africa
Dec 9, 2025
Two alleged child-pornography distributors, Darren Wilken and Tiona Moodley, have had their case transferred to the Johannesburg High Court for pre-trial proceedings set for 19 February 2025. They face multiple charges after authorities seized devices containing millions of illicit images.
The case against two alleged child-pornography distributors has been transferred from the Randburg Magistrates’ Court to the High Court in Johannesburg. Darren Wilken, 34, and his partner Tiona Moodley, 25, made a brief appearance on Tuesday, where State Advocate Colleen Ryan read the charges into the record and served the indictment.
The matter has been set down for pre-trial proceedings on 19 February 2025 in the Gauteng Division of the High Court.
Wilken and Moodley face a wide range of charges, including possession, distribution, transmission and sale of child pornography, offering child pornography for sale, cyber fraud, unlawful possession of a data device, unlawful interception of data, money laundering and drug possession.
The pair were arrested after South African law-enforcement authorities acted on intelligence provided by international partners. Investigators identified a target in South Africa and conducted an operation during which electronic devices containing millions of images and videos of child pornography were seized.
Police also confiscated hundreds of thousands of rand in cash, which the State believes were proceeds of the alleged criminal activities. According to prosecutors, the accused hosted and distributed child-abuse material to a global network in exchange for payment.
National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said it remains committed to prioritising cases involving crimes against children and will continue to pursue prosecutions against individuals accused of activities that endanger their safety.
