The bail application of one of the four accused in the case involving a four-year-old being instructed to light and smoke a pipe believed to contain drugs, has been denied.

Three of the accused, including the mother of the young boy, abandoned their bail application earlier.

The four appeared in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Friday morning.

The case has been postponed to October.

Presiding Magistrate Annalisa Tlhapi says releasing the accused on bail might endanger other children and that he may evade trial as he faces serious charges.

Tlhapi says the accused also has a previous conviction of drug possession.

“Applicant, if released on bail, will endanger the public safety and the safety of the others. Applicant may be a danger to other children out there, even posing a risk to them, not only smoking the sad drugs, but passing drugs to the child to smoke. As a result, these drugs may have caused harm to the child, his development, as well as his mental health.”

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