Police in Gqeberha have arrested a 56-year-old American citizen, Robert Lee Redd Jr, who is wanted in the United States in connection with serious sexual assault allegations involving two minors in Texas.

The arrest took place in the Westbrook area of River Dale on Wednesday afternoon at around 3pm, following a coordinated operation involving the Nelson Mandela Bay detective task team, Crime Intelligence, and Interpol, with additional support from the Nelson Mandela Bay crime combating unit.According to authorities, the alleged offences relate to two separate incidents involving victims who were both 12 years old at the time.The first incident is said to have occurred in 2017, while the second allegedly took place in 2019.

The investigation gained momentum after the US embassy in Cape Town requested assistance from South African authorities in 2024, prompting a lengthy two-year monitoring operation of the suspect.Officials indicated that the first complainant only came forward after it emerged that Redd was also being investigated for a second alleged assault.Over time, investigators built a case strong enough to support extradition proceedings.Once a warrant of arrest was issued in South Africa based on the US case file, law enforcement moved swiftly to detain him.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the arrest and stated that Redd will now face extradition to the United States, where he is expected to answer to charges of rape and sexual assault.

The task team was reportedly led by Captain Lesley Killian and Sergeant Ridwaan Baatjies, who oversaw the surveillance and coordination efforts since 2024.