Emmarentia shooting video backlash grows as experts warn sharing footage violates children’s rights

What began as a tragic road rage shooting in Emmarentia has now opened a second, more uncomfortable conversation in South Africa the way people consume and share traumatic content online.

A video showing two young children in distress moments after their father was shot dead has been widely circulated on social media, prompting urgent warnings from child protection experts who say the footage should never have been shared in the first place.

A moment of tragedy turned viral

The incident that sparked the footage involved the death of 48-year-old Faisal ul Rehman, who was shot during a confrontation in Johannesburg.

His wife, Tehseen, was also injured during the same incident.

A 58-year-old man was detained in connection with the shooting and attempted murder, although the National Prosecuting Authority later indicated that the matter would not proceed in court at this stage.

But long before legal processes could take centre stage, the video had already spread widely online.

It shows a deeply distressing scene: a young girl crying over her father’s body while her younger brother, his hands visibly bloodied, attempts CPR in a desperate attempt to revive him.

Experts say sharing the footage crosses a legal and ethical line

Media ethics specialists and child protection advocates have been clear in their response.

William Bird, director of Media Monitoring Africa, said the circulation of the video raises serious concerns about children’s rights, dignity and privacy.

He warned that the children involved cannot be identified or exposed, especially given their role as witnesses to a violent crime.

Bird also pointed out that sharing such content may conflict with protections under South African law, including provisions in the Criminal Procedure Act and constitutional safeguards for minors.

His message was simple but firm: the video should not be shared.

Child protection groups call for compassion online

Child welfare organisations have echoed those concerns, saying the damage goes far beyond what is visible in the footage.

According to Childline KwaZulu-Natal director Adeshini Naicker, the children witnessed an extremely traumatic event that will likely have long-term emotional consequences.

She explained that children in such situations experience shock, confusion and fear, and require structured emotional support and counselling afterward.

Naicker also warned that sharing the footage exposes children to further harm, adding another layer of trauma on top of what they have already endured.

Social media outrage and reflection

Across platforms like X, Facebook and TikTok, the reaction has been mixed but intense.

Some users expressed shock that the video was circulating at all, calling for it to be removed immediately. Others admitted they had shared it before realising the identities and emotional impact involved.

A growing number of posts now urge users to delete the footage and avoid resharing content involving minors in distress.

The conversation has shifted from curiosity to accountability not just about what happened on the road in Emmarentia, but about what happens every time a traumatic moment becomes public entertainment.

The children at the centre of the story

Beyond the legal case and online debate, experts stress that two children are now left dealing with the aftermath of a violent and deeply traumatic experience.

They witnessed their father’s death in real time and were captured in a moment of extreme emotional distress that has since been replayed across social media timelines.

Child rights advocates say this is exactly why privacy laws exist to protect minors not only in courtrooms and hospitals, but also in the digital spaces where images can spread uncontrollably within minutes.

A wider question for South Africa’s digital culture

The Emmarentia video has reignited a broader national conversation about how South Africans engage with violent or traumatic content online.

In a country already dealing with high levels of violent crime reporting, experts say social media can unintentionally amplify harm when users prioritise sharing over sensitivity.

The issue is no longer just about journalism or legal boundaries. It is about everyday digital behaviour and whether users stop to consider the human cost behind the content they circulate.

A reminder behind the headlines

As investigations continue into the shooting itself, the focus is now split between justice in the courtroom and responsibility online.

Experts are urging one clear action from the public: stop sharing the video.

Because behind the viral clip are not just viewers and comments, but two children whose most traumatic moment has been broadcast to an entire country.