Mother in Johannesburg Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Forcing 4-Year-Old Son to Smoke Drugs

A woman from Newclare, Johannesburg, is facing serious charges after a shocking video showed her encouraging her four-year-old son to smoke what looked like drugs.

The video, which quickly spread online on Tuesday, caused public outrage and led to her arrest later that same day by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

She appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, July 31, along with three men who were allegedly present during the incident.

All four are being charged with attempted murder and child abuse, and have said they plan to apply for Legal Aid. The case has been postponed until August 4.

The disturbing video shows the little boy lighting a homemade drug pipe made from a bottle for his mother, who then tells him to try it himself. The footage also shows other adults watching and doing nothing to stop it.

Initially, people thought the child was three years old, but the court confirmed he is four. He has been taken to a safe location after a full medical checkup in a hospital.

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The JMPD said they were able to arrest the woman after receiving a tip-off. During questioning, she named two others who were in the video, including the person who filmed it.

According to police, the three suspects admitted to using Mandrax a drug commonly abused in South Africa and confirmed they recorded the incident. Police have also taken their phones as part of the investigation.

Brigadier Brenda Muridili, a police spokesperson, confirmed that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is handling the case. 

She noted that there are 22 FCS units across Gauteng province, with at least 66 detectives on standby after hours to deal with cases involving child abuse, sexual violence, and domestic violence.

This heartbreaking case of child abuse in Johannesburg has raised serious concerns about drug use and child safety in the city. Many are calling for stronger action to protect children from similar abuse in the future.

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