A Cape Town-based actor and entertainer was arrested on Saturday after raising the alarm over the alleged abuse of a child.

The provincial Department of Social Development also stepped into the fray to assist after the entertainer pleaded on social media for assistance for the child.

Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez wrote on Twitter: "I have been tagged in many posts today regarding a 4 year old girl child.

The entertainer also posted late on Saturday night that the girl was safe.

A friend, Richard Juries, told News24 that the person who runs the facility at the centre of the drama had a protection order against the entertainer and the entertainer had a protection order against the facility manager.