Mapaballo Borotho

- A viral video shows a four-year-old boy being encouraged to smoke what appears to be drugs.
- Three suspects, including the child’s mother, have been arrested and face charges of child abuse and attempted murder.
- The child has been placed in a place of safety as experts warn of lasting trauma.
Child protection experts have expressed outrage after a viral video showed a four-year-old boy being encouraged to smoke what appears to be drugs.
They warn that the video suggests the child had been repeatedly exposed to substance abuse.
Three suspects, aged between 28 and 36, including the boy’s biological mother, have been arrested on charges of child abuse and attempted murder.
The group appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, with the case postponed to Monday.
The Action Society described the incident as “the most callous kind of abuse,” condemning not only the act itself but also the laughter of the adults seen in the video.
“This child will need counselling and protection. What makes this even more shocking is that he knew exactly how to use the drugs, making it very unlikely this was an isolated event,” said Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez.
She added that the case highlights the daily dangers faced by South African children, often from those meant to protect them.
The child has since been rescued and placed in a place of safety.
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