Calls to deny Dros rapist bail as he appears in court
EFF to hold demonstrations in court
The EFF in Tshwane has joined the growing calls for the 20-year-old man accused of raping a child at a Dros restaurant to be denied bail.
The party said it would hold a demonstration outside the Pretoria magistrate’s court today‚ where the man is expected to make his second appearance.
In a poster circulated yesterday‚ the EFF called for “justice for children”.
Women and Men Against Child Abuse has also called for the man to be denied bail.
“The perpetrator must not be granted bail‚ he does not deserve anything less than a life sentence‚” said operations director Vincentia Dlamini.
“We have not met with the family [of the victim] but we have offered to assist in any way possible through the investigating officer‚” she said.
Yesterday, the ANC Women’s League said it was appalled by the rape and also called for bail to be denied.
The man stands accused of raping a young girl in the bathroom of the Dros in Silverton‚ Pretoria‚ a fortnight ago.
“We are appalled at the brazen attack on the defenceless‚ innocent child in what is supposed to be a safe space‚” said Thoko Magagula‚ chairperson of the ANC women’s caucus in the Gauteng legislature.
“We call upon the criminal justice system to make sure that no effort is spared in ensuring the successful prosecution of the culprit. In the interest of public safety we request that bail be denied.”
The EFF has also started a #DrosRapistMustFall campaign. The man was alleged to have watched the girl in the play area and later followed her to the bathroom‚ where he was said to have dragged her to the male toilet and raped her.
According to patrons‚ the child’s mother went looking for her after she noticed she was not in the play area. She allegedly caught her daughter’s attacker in the act.
A video allegedly taken moments after the rape surfaced on social media last week. The graphic video depicts the man naked‚ partly covered in blood.
“What the f***?!” someone shouts. The man leans back against the wall‚ covering his penis with his left hand. “[For] f***’s sake‚” he shouts. “What the f*** is wrong with you guys! There’s nothing f ****** wrong with me! I’m sober. I’m a mental man (sic)! ”
The government has called on people not to share the video.
While the suspect appeared briefly in court last Tuesday, by law he cannot be named until he has pleaded.
The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated it will oppose bail.