UPDATE: Dros rape suspect remains in custody
The media has been given permission to take pictures.
A 20-year-old man accused of raping a seven-year-old girl at a restaurant in the east of Pretoria will remain behind bars after he opted not to apply for bail on Tuesday.
He appeared briefly in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and the matter was postponed to 1 November for further investigation.
He was not asked to plead to a charge of rape and may still not be named.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Dros rape suspect back in court
But Magistrate Marley Mokoena allowed pictures to be taken of the accused.
The man is accused of “snatching” the girl, taking her to the men’s bathroom and forcing himself onto her at Dros restaurant in Silverton two weeks ago.
He also faces charges of possession of drugs and intimidation.
Various organisations and members of the public including EFF, black first land first and the DA gathered outside the court to support the girl’s family and oppose bail.
Among them was Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga, who said government needed to do more to ensure that children were protected.
Defence lawyer Riaan du Plessis said his client was beaten by patrons at the restaurant. He was later also assaulted by the police, Du Plessis said.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: VIDEO: Dros to cover medical bill of 7-year-old ‘rape’ victim
The man suffered injuries to his left ear, had a bloodshot eye and had to get stitches.
Du Plessis opposed the application for pictures to be taken of his client.
He contended that the matter was causing racial tension and taking pictures of the man could lead to people taking matters into their own hands.
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