The National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa (NPA) says investigations are still underway to determine what substance was consumed by the toddler whose mother had been arrested for giving him a pipe to smoke.
A mother and three other accused are behind bars after a video that went viral of them encouraging a toddler to smoke what’s suspected to be mandrax. They have appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, where their case was postponed to August 7th, to allow the state to verify their residential addresses.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says the child will remain in a place of safety.
“We cannot say it is drugs at this point. Those investigations are ongoing, so it’s safe to say that one of the accused was smoking an unknown substance and thereafter shared the substance with a four-year-old minor. We take child abuse cases very seriously; hence, the state has immediately removed the child to a place of safety, and due to the sensitivity of the case. You would appreciate the fact that the victim in this case is a minor child. So obviously, whatever information is obtained is not for public consumption. One, to protect the dignity of the child and also to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation,” Mjonondwane says.
It is important to note that the victim in this matter is a minor, whose identity & rights are protected under the Child Justice Act. Sharing or distributing any content that could expose the child’s identity not only violates the law but also endangers their safety & dignity.
— NPASouthAfrica (@NPA_Prosecutes) July 31, 2025
VIDEO | The mother, three others accused of instructing a toddler to smoke mandrax, case postponed
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