PROJECT: GROOMING (PART 1)
- Isabel Spies
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
PLEASE SHARE THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT
Recognising the Threat Before Harm Occurs
As the new school year commences, Specialised Security Services reiterates a critical safety warning to all parents and guardians: grooming remains a pervasive threat across both physical and digital environments.
Grooming is not limited to online interactions with youth; it can also affect other vulnerable populations, including the elderly.
Grooming is a calculated, step-by-step process used to gain trust, influence, and control before any harmful action is taken.
It rarely appears threatening at first. Instead, it is often disguised as kindness, mentorship, protection, or opportunity.
Grooming rarely begins with overtly dangerous behaviour.
Instead, offenders often mask harmful intent behind seemingly benign or supportive actions intended to establish trust and influence.
CURRENT STATISTICAL CONTEXT:
ONLINE GROOMING TRENDS:
Approximately 50% of minors report being approached online by someone they do not know in a grooming context.
Around 70% of online grooming victims are between the ages of 12 and 15.
Over 80% of grooming cases involve social media platforms, with the majority of contact initiated there.
Only a minority of grooming incidents are reported to authorities, leaving many cases undetected and unaddressed.
Research indicates that online grooming incidents have increased substantially in recent years, with recorded cases rising sharply in jurisdictions with available longitudinal data.
These trends underscore that grooming is not a static risk but an evolving threat that adapts to new technologies and social behaviours.
Youth who spend significant time on social media, messaging apps, or online gaming platforms are particularly at risk, as these environments facilitate unsolicited contact and private communication.
BROADER VULNERABLE POPULATIONS:
While data on adult and elderly grooming is less comprehensive than youth statistics, it is recognised in specialist research that groomers target vulnerability—whether emotional, social, cognitive, or situational—to manipulate and exploit.
Grooming of adults and the elderly may take place in-person or online and often involves psychological manipulation, isolation tactics, or exploitation of trust.
THE PERPETRATOR:
The perpetrator is the individual who deliberately engages in manipulative behaviour to gain trust, influence, or control over a vulnerable person—usually with the aim of exploiting them physically, sexually, emotionally, or financially.
Key points about perpetrators in grooming cases:
1. PROFILE:
There is no single profile—perpetrators can be male or female, young or old.
They often appear trustworthy, authoritative, or supportive to the target and community.
They may hold positions of access or influence (teachers, coaches, family friends, religious leaders, online contacts).
2. MODUS OPERANDI:
Start with seemingly harmless or positive actions: mentoring, gifts, attention, or "protection."
Gradually push boundaries, isolate the victim, and normalise secrecy.
Exploit vulnerabilities—emotional, social, financial, or cognitive—to maintain control.
3. ENVIRONMENTS:
Physical: schools, sports clubs, community centres, faith groups, and workplaces.
Digital: social media, messaging apps, online games, and forums.
4. TARGETS:
While youth (children and adolescents) are most frequently targeted, other vulnerable persons, such as the elderly or disabled, are also at risk.
In short, the perpetrator is any individual who uses manipulation and trust to exploit another person
for personal gain or gratification, whether online, in person, or across both environments.
SOUTH AFRICAN EXAMPLES OF GROOMING-RELATED PERPETRATORS:
1. GQEBERHA FATHER - EXTREME ABUSE AND GROOMING:
A 56‑year‑old father in Jeffreys Bay was convicted on more than 700 counts, including rape, sexual assault, sexual grooming, human trafficking, and child pornography offences, primarily against his own children.
He was sentenced to two life terms plus an additional 3, 713 years imprisonment.
The court found he used his trust and authority as a parent to groom and exploit his minor children and others, often recording and distributing explicit material via digital devices.
This case demonstrates how grooming can occur within the family unit and escalate into systematic exploitation.
2. BLOUBERGSTRAND COUPLE - GROOMING AND DIGITAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN:
A couple aged 47 and 48 were arrested in Bloubergstrand, Western Cape, and charged with sexual grooming, rape, sexual assault, and production of child pornography involving their daughters (ages three and eight).
Additional charges have since been added as investigations uncovered more evidence.
The alleged abuse included the use of electronic devices to document and potentially distribute explicit content.
This ongoing case highlights how perpetrators can use digital technology as part of grooming and exploitation.
3. TEACHER CHARGED WITH GROOMING LEARNERS (RASLOUW/CENTURION):
A former teacher was formally charged with exposing pornography to children and grooming three learners (two aged 13 and one 15) at a Centurion school.
The accused reportedly contacted learners, sent explicit material, and engaged in sexual acts via video calls, representing online grooming behaviour with schoolchildren.
This example illustrates how positions of authority and access to minors can be abused in grooming offences.
4. MPUMALANGA COUPLE ARRESTED FOR GROOMING A 15-YEAR-OLD:
In early 2026, Mpumalanga police arrested a 25‑year‑old woman and her 33‑year‑old male associate for allegedly coercing a 15‑year‑old girl into sexual activities with multiple men.
The case involved persuasion and monetary coercion, central elements of grooming tactics that exploit vulnerability and manipulation.
This incident underscores that grooming is not confined to online contact and can occur in local communities.
5. PASTOR CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE COUNTS:
A pastor in KwaZulu‑Natal was convicted for sexually abusing a group of children (boys and girls aged 7–14), using his position of spiritual trust to lure and groom them under the guise of tasks or guidance.
Sentenced to multiple life terms and extended imprisonment for rape, sexual assault, and exposure of children to pornography.
This case exemplifies how positions of trust in community or religious settings can be exploited in grooming offences.
6. FATHER IN PAARL - DIGITAL TRAFFICKING AND GROOMING:
A 27‑year‑old father in Paarl was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment for digital trafficking of persons and rape of his own minor children.
Convictions included the use of children in pornography, possession and distribution of child pornography, and other grooming‑linked crimes.
This case demonstrates how digital platforms and media can be instrumentalised in the grooming process.
PATTERNS:
PERPETRATORS CHARACTERISTICS:
They often abuse positions of authority (parent, teacher, religious leader).
They use technology and digital media to groom, coerce, document, and distribute explicit material.
They isolate and manipulate victims, creating dependency, fear, or obligation.
ENVIRONMENTS OF RISK:
Within the home, family members exploiting trust and access.
Educational settings: staff abusing access to learners.
Community and faith organisations: perceived trust used to lower defences.
Online/digital platforms: communication, media exchange, and exploitation tools.
Real cases show that grooming is a multifaceted threat that utilises trust, authority, secrecy,
and digital technology to manipulate victims.
Awareness, reporting, and proactive monitoring are essential to interrupt grooming before it escalates.
Read our next project regarding the signs displayed by a victim of grooming.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:
3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.
4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
SSS TASK TEAM:
Copyright © 2015- PRESENT | Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
PO Box 15075 Lynn East
Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
Add us to your address book
THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED, PLEASE DO SO.
