Bloemfontein - A Free State man accused of sexually abusing his daughters and 17 other girls is expected to apply for bail at his next appearance in the Sasolburg Magistrate's Court next Wednesday, police said.
The man faces charges of manufacturing, distributing, and possessing child pornography, Lt-Col Heila Niemand said.
He was arrested on October 16 after police received a tip-off from Interpol that he had allegedly logged onto a paedophile network and uploaded images of himself sexually abusing a number of girls, including his two daughters.
Niemand said after questioning the daughters it was revealed that he had allegedly been abusing them and his neighbours' daughters.
In one instance, the man allegedly raped his 13-year-old daughter and documented it, Niemand said.
“Preliminary investigations show there are 17 other girls, aged between seven and 17, who have also allegedly been abused by the accused.”
She said the man had posted pictures on a closed internet website. The website's users are required to upload pre-teen childsex images before gaining access to the site.
Computers, DVDs, cellphones, books, sex toys, girls' panties, and photographs allegedly depicting sexual assaults on children were seized in his office in Kew, Johannesburg, during a raid on the day of his arrest.
The man, who worked as a safety officer, appeared in court two weeks ago and was kept in custody until his next appearance. He cannot be named to protect the identity of his daughters. - Sapa