BOY, 4, FILMED SUIPING BIER - Outrage as Mitchells Plain outjie is encouraged to “sluk, sluk” in viral video

A CRIMINAL case of child abuse has been registered by police after a shocking video of a four-year-old boy being forced to drink beer went viral.

While no arrests have been made at this stage, four children between the ages of seven months and 11 years old, including the boy in the video, have been removed by the Department of Social Development (DSD).

The shocking video shows the little boy squatting on the ground, holding the 

bottle of beer in one hand and a glass in the other.

He is seen drinking a glass of the beer and is being told by a male person to drink it, saying: “Sluk, sluk.”

The boy then skinks nog ’n bier and passes it to the man. The man can be heard laughing.

Numerous bottles of beer can be seen standing around the child whose legs also seem to be badly bruised.

Yesterday, police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirmed that when the alarm was raised, SAPS together with DSD responded.

Van Wyk said: “A child abuse case was registered for investigation at Mitchells Plain SAPS. This case was transferred to Mitchells Plain Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

“Four children aged between seven months and 11 years were removed by personnel attached to the Department of Social Development and placed in the care of safety parents. Investigation continues, no arrest yet.”

Whistleblowers, however, challenged SAPS’ response, citing a senior police official who did not take the matter seriously, claiming the father of the child said he did not drink and that he did not allow the boy to consume the beverage – this after a home visit.

Whistleblower Zona Morton slammed the cops, saying: “The way in which the colonel responded to my plea, to ascertain that the child is safe, you can see on the video that the child was forced to consume alcohol.”

Police did not respond to claims of inaction of their senior official.

The DSD has since confirmed that the matter is under investigation.

In response to the video, the DSD said: “The effects of alcohol on children can be serious and lifelong. 

“Alcohol consumption can impact brain development and can lead to emotional and behavioural issues.”