Outrage as mother and accomplices filmed allegedly forcing toddler to smoke drugs appear in court

The Gauteng Social Development and other children's rights activists have condemned the mother of a three-year-old who, along with three of her accomplices, was caught in a viral video allegedly forcing the child to smoke drugs from a broken bottle pipe.

It is not clear what drug was contained in the broken bottle, but the incident prompted the JMPD to effect an immediate arrest.

The four suspects who are facing a charge of attempted murder and child abuse appeared briefly before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, where the case was postponed to Monday, August 4, to allow for the accused to get legal representation.

Speaking outside court, ActionSA MP, Dereleen James, said the recent spate of cases involving minors has become a common scourge in the country, adding that the government continues to fail the poor and vulnerable in society.

"This is not an isolated case involving a minor. This is a case of gross neglect and deliberate assault and abuse. This is a case of attempted murder. I am sitting here and wondering if this child will have access to schooling and will be able to learn, purely because we know (the effects of) these types of drugs due to people who use them at an early age," she said.

On Thursday, the Gauteng Department of Social Development condemned the alleged behaviour of the parents, saying it will be investigating the matter.

"The Department wishes to categorically state that it is gravely outraged by the irresponsible behaviour of the toddler’s parents and further commits to investigating the incident to provide the necessary intervention that will help the child. The Department further condemns actions that harm children, such as violence and negligence, and would like to emphasise the importance of positive role modelling and responsible behaviour to our children. This incident is both unfortunate and barbaric, and the Department welcomes the arrest of the three (3) suspects involved from Newclare in Johannesburg, including the mother who is detained at a police station," it said.

The Department said it called on community members (particularly those who claim to be community activist and take to posting on social media) to instead take action against these kinds of incidents by reporting to the relevant institutions and/or law enforcement agencies.

Siyabonga Monakali, on behalf of Ilitha Labantu, also expressed deep outrage following the circulation of the disturbing video.

"The incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation, forces us to confront the cruelty of the act itself and the deeper societal decay it reflects. While the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department responded swiftly by arresting the three individuals involved, including the child’s mother and the person who filmed the video, this case goes beyond criminality. It exposes a painful truth about where we stand as a society," he said.

Westbury Councillor, Marilyne Smouse, slammed the government for its failure to provide basic and social services to the Coloured community, which she said is at the centre of social issues in Westbury and surrounding areas.

"We need serious interventions. We need our voices to be heard, and we need the help of everyone on board. If it is not the drugs, it is the unemployment and the poverty in our communities. We need someone high up there to intervene and help us fight these drugs and other ills. There are plenty of young people who have finished school and university who could be utilised to help us fight drugs and social ills," she said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za