Community members have called for justice to prevail in the matter of a mother of a three-year-old boy, who was allegedly captured on video trying to force her child to smoke a hard drugs from a broken bottle.

This comes as the Johannesburg Magistrates Court postponed the case against the mother alongside three of her accused, who are facing charges of attempted murder, child abuse, and child neglect, to Thursday, August 7.

Last week, the four suspects were captured on social media video trying to force a toddler to smoke from a broken bottle allegedly laced with hard drugs.

On Monday, Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane indicated that the suspects have been able to secure legal representation while the State requested a postponement to verify the residential addresses of the accused.

“We don’t have much information about the accused who are before the court, amongst the issues that are outstanding in terms of the investigation are their profiles. So, you will have much information once they have been profiled, and their address has been verified. The court has given us until Thursday the 7th to finalise such investigations,” Mjonondwane said.

Last week, the accused were condemned by the Gauteng Social Development and other children’s rights activists, following the emergence of the viral video.

On Monday, some community members spoke out against the alleged abuse of the child by his mother, calling for the speedy administration of justice in the matter. 

“We are angry as members of the community, and we are here in support of the child. We are saddened by the fact that this matter has been postponed to Thursday. We want justice and we want it now,” a community member, who did not want to be identified, stated.

Last week, IOL reported that the Gauteng Department of Social Development condemned the alleged behaviour of the parents, saying it will be investigating the matter.

“The Department wishes to categorically state that it is gravely outraged by the irresponsible behaviour of the toddler’s parents and further commits to investigating the incident to provide the necessary intervention that will help the child. The Department further condemns actions that harm children, such as violence and negligence, and would like to emphasise the importance of positive role modelling and responsible behaviour to our children. This incident is both unfortunate and barbaric, and the Department welcomes the arrest of the three (3) suspects involved from Newclare in Johannesburg, including the mother who is detained at a police station,” it said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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