31/07/2025
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONDEMNS BEHAVIOUR OF PARENTS AND WELCOMES THE ARREST.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development has condemned the behaviour of parents following a video that went viral on social media where a toddler is seen smoking a pipe with an unknown substance in a broken bottle top.
The Department has expressed grave outrage over the irresponsible behaviour of the toddler’s parents and further commited to providing the necessary intervention that will help the child.
The department has described the incident as both unfortunate and barbaric and welcomed the arrest of the three suspects involved from Newclare in Johannesburg including the mother.
The three year old boy was brought to the Sophiatown police station by officers from the Johannesburg Metro Police and the grandmother.
The Johannesburg FCS Unit commander Lieutenant Colonel Marema Mogale and his member responded immediately at about midnight.
Three people, the mother and two men, were immediately detained. The 3-year-old boy was taken to hospital for medical attention and then taken to a place of safety.
The trio, aged between 28 and 36, have been charged with child abuse under domestic violence and are set to appear before the Johannesburg Regional Court today.
The allegation that one of the FCS members was called and they told the complainant that they will respond in the morning have been brought to the attention of the Provincial Head of FCS, Brigadier Phumzile Zulu who has instructed the Johannesburg Unit Commander to register an enquiry for investigation.