Social media users warned not to share horror video
A video purportedly depicting
the aftermath of a child rape at a popular Pretoria eatery is doing the rounds
on social media.
A 7-year-old girl was raped by a 20-year-old man in the bathrooms of the Dros restaurant in Silverton at the weekend.
The government has called on social media users not to share the video – as it is insensitive to the family of the victim.
Government has noted a disturbing video circulating on social media involving the alleged rape of a child. People should refrain from circulating the video as it is insensitive to the child and her family and could jeopardize the legal processes. #GBV #Dros
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 27, 2018
The graphic video depicts a naked man - partly covered in blood in a bathroom - being confronted by several people.
Criminal law expert Ullrich Roux says the accused in an offense of a sexual nature - such as a rape or sexual assault - cannot be named until they have pleaded in open court.
“In terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, the name of the accused person as well the victim must first be heard in an open court before such a video can be circulated. This is to protect the identity of the victim,” Roux explains
Roux says social media users who manipulate the video could themselves be charged with defeating the ends of justice – as the video could be used as evidence in the criminal trial.
"One wants to preserve that evidence and that is the reason why they would have requested that it be not circulated.”
The suspect appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court in Tuesday.
The case was postponed to October 2 for further investigation and the accused was remanded in custody.