Johannesburg: The South African Police Service (SAPS) is marking the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign by spotlighting the efforts of its officers who exceed their duties in safeguarding women and children in South Africa. Among these dedicated officers is Colonel Celeste van der Klashorst, whose work in combating online sexual crimes has been instrumental.
According to South African Government News Agency, van der Klashorst serves as the Section Commander of the National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit. This specialized team focuses on investigating serial rape cases and sexual crimes conducted through electronic mediums, such as child pornography. Her responsibilities include overseeing SECI units across the nine provinces, leading significant child pornography operations, and handling high-profile cases.
Van der Klashorst began her career in 1991 as a student constable with the SAPS. Her contributions were crucial in the formation of the Child
Protection Units, now known as the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, in 1993. She was key in establishing SECI units at both national and provincial levels in 2017.
A notable achievement in her career was the successful execution of Operation BAD VIBES, a major takedown that identified 27 South Africans involved in child pornography activities. This operation led to the arrest of 12 sexual predators since January 2023, the identification of four child victims, and the seizure of millions of illicit images and videos.
Under van der Klashorst’s guidance, SECI teams continue to pursue investigations under Operation BAD VIBES to capture more suspects associated with this international child pornography network. As an expert in her field, she also shares her knowledge through SECI workshops and FCS courses, enhancing the quality of investigations and legal cases.
Recently, the National SECI team was honored as the FCS Team of the Year at the Division for Forensic and Detective Se
rvice’s annual Excellence Awards. Van der Klashorst emphasizes the importance of collective effort in combating sexual offences and gender-based violence, expressing her commitment to leading these efforts.
Colonel van der Klashorst’s relentless pursuit of justice is a testament to her dedication to ending online sexual crimes. The 16 Days campaign, part of a broader 365 Days of Activism initiative, is held annually from 25 November to 10 December, focusing on collective action to end violence against women and children.