A 46-year-old Swiss lawyer was arrested at a top Sandton hotel on Sunday for sexually exploiting young boys as a ”sex tourist”, Gauteng police said.
Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said the high-profile corporate lawyer was caught ”in the act” while having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old Alexandra boy inside his hotel room.
He was arrested by the family violence, child-protection and sexual-offences unit.
Martins-Engelbrecht said he is believed to have lured the children by buying them expensive gifts in return for sex.
Pornographic material, a laptop computer and cellphone were confiscated from the man. The arrest followed an investigation after a tip-off from a member of the public.
”He was arrested on suspicion that he contravened the Sexual Offences Act 14 as well as the Child Care Act Section 50(A) dealing with sexual encounters with underage persons and the commercial exploitation of children,” she said.
Detectives are following up information regarding more young boys who may have been exploited by the man.
”Sex tourism or commercial exploitation of children has become a worldwide phenomenon. We trust that this arrest will serve as a stern warning to foreigners that this sick industry will not be tolerated in this country,” Martins-Engelbrecht said.
The alleged sex tourist is in custody and is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday. — Sapa