A Johannesburg mother faces charges of child abuse after a shocking video of her four-year-old son smoking drugs went viral. Image: Screengrab/IOL.
(The Post News)– The court has postponed the case against a Johannesburg mother accused of child abuse after a shocking video of her four-year-old son smoking drugs went viral. The court stressed the need to address verification, raising concerns about the safety of the child and parental responsibility.
The mother, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, and her co-accused appeared in court on Monday. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that the case has been postponed to August 7.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane explained that the postponement is to allow for verification of the accused’s alternative residential addresses. According to Mjonondwane, the investigating officer reported that during a recent visit, the suspect’s provided addresses were inaccessible.
In the video that made rounds on social networks, a child is seen lighting a pipe allegedly with a substance in it, and according to Mjonondwana, the mother then allegedly encouraged him to smoke it himself in the presence of the three co-accused. The accused are facing charges of child abuse and attempted murder. Meanwhile, since then, the child has been taken away and put in a safe place.
A Gauteng-based pastor, Curt van Heerden, confirmed the child’s safety since the night of the heartbreaking incident, stating that he made it a priority to follow up. Van Heerden said that they finally spoke with the social worker responsible for his case, who confirmed that the boy had been transferred to Walter Sisulu for care and monitoring. He added that consequently, the drugs he was exposed to had a devastating impact on his small body.
Van Heerden shared that for the first few days, the boy could not eat solid foods due to a swollen throat caused by the substance that was allegedly given to him.
The pastor said that they were told by the social worker that the child is now in good hands, and he is doing well, adding that he is being monitored closely and recovering day by day. He urged the public to keep him in their prayers.
About the Author
