‘Paedophile’ earned N$77 000 from child porn

Alleged paedophile and former police reservist Johann Maree is said to have received just over N$77 000 via Western Union money transfers for selling graphic photographs of underage boys on the ‘dark web’.

The accused allegedly installed spy cameras in the changing rooms at the Olympia swimming pool to obtain naked photographs and videos of young children. He would later post these photographs on the internet and also sell the images to potential buyers in foreign countries. At the time, Maree - who was self-employed - owned a photography business named Youth Sport Fotos Namibia. He specialised in photography and videography, primarily covering sports and swimming events in Windhoek.

With time, the accused developed relationships with several families and their children at these sporting events, many of whom he later took advantage of.

Between 2014 and 2020, he is said to have - on many occasions - lured 16 of his victims to his residence in Pioneers Park to further participate in alleged sexual acts such as touching and stimulating their genitals and filming them naked. He also stands accused of raping the young boys – both in terms of oral and penetrative sex.

He went as far as instructing the victims to perform these acts on each other.

In his flat, Maree allegedly gave his underage victims alcohol and cigarettes, and further exposed them to pornographic videos. He is said to have, on a few occasions, created casts of his victims' penises.

Maree threatened his victims to keep them from reporting his wrongdoing.

He is now facing 74 charges, including 24 counts of rape, 10 counts of exploiting children for the use of child pornography, 18 counts of child trafficking, five counts of committing an indecent act with a child under the age of 16, and 13 counts of encouraging a child under the age of 16 to drink liquor. Other charges include unlawfully engaging in transactions that enable him to receive deposits of money (money laundering). His trial continues today, and he remains in custody.

Victim 1

Maree is accused of detaining, transporting, recruiting and sexually abusing Victim 1, and of not only supplying the boy with liquor, but encouraging him to consume it. In connection with this victim, Maree faces five charges related to indecent acts with a child and sexual abuse or rape. Victim 1 allegedly performed sexual acts on two of the other victims under coercive circumstances caused by Maree. He also allegedly forced the boy to have sex with him and took footage of him while he was partially or completely naked. Maree allegedly made a cast of this victim's penis. Victim 3 was also allegedly forced to perform sexual acts on this victim.

Victim 2

In addition to the sexual acts that Victim 1 is believed to have been forced to perform on this boy, he was involved in three other complaints. Maree is accused of detaining, transporting and recruiting this victim for sexual abuse, of supplying him with drugs and of performing sexual acts on him under coercive circumstances.

Victim 3

Apart from the sexual acts Victim 1 and Victim 3 apparently performed on each other under coercive circumstances, this boy is implicated in five other complaints. Maree allegedly detained, transported and recruited him for sexual abuse, raped him and used him to make pornographic images.

Victim 4

Maree reportedly detained, transported and recruited this boy for sexual abuse as well as provided him with alcohol and encouraged him to consume it. Maree also allegedly performed sexual acts on him and made a cast of his penis. Victim 4 allegedly had to perform sexual acts on Victim 8 under coercive circumstances.

Victim 5

Maree is accused of detaining, transporting and recruiting this victim for sexual abuse and of using him to make pornographic material. He also allegedly performed sexual acts on the boy.

Victim 6

Victim 6 was detained, transported and recruited for sexual abuse by Maree, who also apparently allowed him to consume alcohol under his supervision and supplied him with cigarettes. Maree apparently performed sexual acts on this victim under coercive circumstances.

Victim 7

This boy was also allegedly detained, transported and recruited for sexual abuse and provided with alcohol. Furthermore, Victim 7 reportedly had to perform sexual acts on himself under coercive circumstances, while Maree made an attempt to perform sexual acts on him by taking off his pants.

Victim 8

Apart from the sexual acts Victim 4 allegedly performed on Victim 8, Maree allegedly detained, transported and recruited him for sexual abuse, provided him with alcohol and raped him. Maree also allegedly used him to make pornographic footage.

Victim 9

Maree allegedly detained, transported and recruited this victim for sexual abuse and encouraged him to consume alcohol. The State claims Maree also allegedly raped him and used him to make pornographic images.

Victims 10 and 11

Maree allegedly detained, transported and recruited both boys for sexual abuse and performed sexual acts on them, while the State claims Maree provided Victim 11 with alcohol as well.

Victims 12 and 13

Maree allegedly detained, transported and recruited both boys for sexual abuse and provided them with alcohol and cigarettes several times. While he performed immoral acts on Victim 12 on multiple occasions, Maree reportedly assaulted Victim 13 indecently and used him to make pornographic material.

Victim 14

Maree allegedly detained, transported and recruited this victim several times for sexual abuse and provided him with alcohol. He also allegedly sexually abused Victim 14 and used him to make pornographic material.

Victims 15 and 16

Maree allegedly made pornographic material of these boys in the Olympia swimming pool bathroom while they were partially or completely naked.

Maree's trial will begin today when Commissioner Nelius Becker of the Namibian Police will take to the stand. The State has indicated that several of the victims will testify.