Accused in SA's 'largest child pornography case' switches to Legal Aid, trial delayed

The case against Darren Wilken and his girlfriend Tiana Moodley, found with over a million child pornography images, has been postponed to June 20 after Wilken sought Legal Aid representation.

Previously, authorities seized the couple's assets, including a luxury vehicle and R647,300 in cash, in what is believed to be South Africa's largest child pornography case to date.

This is after Wilken, charged with a string of charges linked to his child pornography ring, has been unable to make contact with his lawyers and has since taken the opportunity of being represented by Legal Aid.

News of his situation came out during his appearance at the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

The matter was remanded in order to allow his new legal representatives to familiarise themselves with the case as well as for further investigation.

"My lawyers were not available and have not spoken to them directly. My mother said that the next time I go to court, I should look at getting Legal Aid," Wilken told the court.

Wilken and his co-accused were previously represented by BDK attorneys. It is still not clear why the lawyers have stepped down from the case after State prosecutor Elize le Roux, indicated that she has not received any formal withdrawal from Wilken's attorneys.

Two weeks ago, Wilken's assets were confiscated by the state after the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) seized his assets, which included a luxury vehicle and R647 300 in cash belonging to him and Moodley.

IOL reported that the legal move followed the execution of a search and seizure warrant by the Cybercrime Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) on January 17, 2025, which led to Wilken's arrest on various serious charges, including manufacturing and distributing child pornography, possession of drugs, and money laundering.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, indicated that the operation, which culminated in the High Court of South Africa ruling on February 17, 2025, came about from a collaborative international investigation involving US law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the US Secret Service.

Mjonondwane said Wilken allegedly operated a child pornography website, marketing and distributing child sexual abuse material to clients worldwide.

"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," she said.

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