A Newcastle man has been sentenced to two years’ direct imprisonment after distributing explicit photographs and videos of his ex-wife to one of her church acquaintances, highlighting the serious legal consequences of sharing private sexual material without consent.
The case began in April 2025 when the victim received a threatening message from her former husband.
According to Newcastle SAPS spokesperson Lizzy Arumugam, “On 15 April 2025, at about 8:30 pm, the woman received a message from her ex-husband, saying he was going to distribute pornographic messages which she had sent him while they were happily married.”
Shortly after issuing the threat, the man sent multiple intimate photographs and videos of his ex-wife to a woman who attends the same church as the victim.
Recognising the seriousness of the material, the recipient alerted the victim to what had been sent.
The matter was immediately reported to police, triggering a formal investigation aimed at holding the perpetrator accountable for the unlawful distribution of the content.
Arumugam explained that law enforcement conducted an extensive investigation to ensure the 37-year-old man faced justice.
“The Investigating Officer, Sergeant Mthimkhulu, demonstrated outstanding investigation skills, which were instrumental in cracking the case and bringing the perpetrator to justice. The accused was found guilty on 16 February 2026 at the Madadeni Magistrates Court,” she said.
The man was convicted on charges of knowingly distributing private sexual photographs and films through a medium, including the internet, without prior informing the person involved where that person is identifiable.
Under South African law, the offence criminalises the sharing of private sexual photographs or films without the consent of the person depicted, particularly when the individual can be identified.
The offence falls under provisions of the Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996, as amended, as well as the Cybercrimes Act, both of which provide legal protection against the non-consensual distribution of intimate material.
Penalties for such offences can be severe. Where a person depicted in the material is identifiable, offenders may face fines of up to R300 000, imprisonment for up to four years, or both. Even in cases where the individual cannot be identified, penalties can still include fines of up to R150 000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
The conviction represents more than a prison sentence. It reinforces the law’s firm stance against the deliberate violation of personal privacy through the distribution of intimate material without consent.
For victims and the broader public, the outcome sends a clear message: consent is non-negotiable, and those who deliberately breach this trust can expect to face the full consequences of the law.
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2 Responses
Yes a crime committed deserves punishment same as this madagla commsion that’s going on and on wasting our tax payers money but no arrests only Dr Notes but they won’t go to jail why is that Wats good for one person at the top is good for all why pick Nd choose on who’s got money Nd who doesn’t
Well he deserves what he got…he should go to prison for good …as he is a danger to society especially females….what stops him from rape n murder….his really sick in his mind…send him to prison n throw away the key. He cannot be trusted with his own kids either.