Mother, men who exposed child to drugs to remain behind bars
The case against a Gauteng mother and three others, accused of exposing a minor child to drugs, has been postponed to Monday.
The mother of the four-year-old boy, who appeared in a viral video allegedly smoking an unknown substance with the child, made her first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The incident, which allegedly took place in Sophiatown on 29 July 2025, was reported following community outrage over the video that was shared on social media.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department intervened following a tip-off.
READ: Three nabbed in Joburg for viral child abuse video
All four suspects have been charged with child abuse and attempted murder.
"All the accused remain in custody until their next court appearance. The arrests were made after the video circulated online, allegedly showing the young child lighting a substance in a pipe for his mother. She then allegedly encouraged the child to smoke it himself, in the presence of the three co-accused," said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
The case was postponed to allow for address verification of the accused and the appointment of legal representatives.
The child has been taken to a place of safety.
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