STATE WARNING ON CHILD RAPE VIDEO

THE government has urged citizens not to share a video relating to the alleged rape of 7-year-old girl at the Dros restaurant in Silverton, Pretoria last Saturday.

Dros management confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday and a suspect, aged 20, is in custody. He is due to appear in court in Pretoria on Tuesday.

The National Prosecuting Authority said the man had been charged with rape‚ possession of drugs‚ intimidation and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Thursday, attention on the story on Twitter peaked as users discussed the identity of the suspect, including his race. Later a video, taken at the restaurant, was uploaded showing the suspect, naked and bloodied, and patrons assaulting him.

The government made the call not to repost the clip on its official Twitter account late on Thursday, saying it was insensitive to the child and her family and could jeopardise the legal process.

By law, the man cannot be identified until he has pleaded, but this did not stop people naming and shaming him on social media.

Reports of the alleged rape first surfaced on Saturday on Facebook, where a patron posted that a man had preyed on the girl while she was playing in the children’s area and, when she went to the toilet, took her into to the men’s toilets where he raped her.

The group #NotInMYName has threatened to see the Dros closed down if management does not cover the costs of care for the victim and her family.

They are questioning how the girl was allowed to leave the play area unsupervised. The restaurant was recently renovated. | Staff Reporter