'Mandrax mom' arrested
Toddler’s ma and two others vas after he was filmed 'smoking drugs'
The arrested mother of the toddler
Image: Supplied
THREE people were arrested in Johannesburg after a video which allegedly showed a toddler smoking a mandrax surfaced online on Tuesday night.
The video went viral, leading to a tip off, which led to the arrests.
A police officer from the SA Police Services Family, Children and Sexual Offences unit could also be in hot water after they allegedly told a complainant they would deal with the complaint “tomorrow”.
The video showed a young boy lighting drugs in a bottle neck for his mother, who then allegedly encouraged him to smoke, all in the presence of other adults.
Superintendent Xolani Fihla, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson, said on Tuesday, officers, while on routine patrol, received a tip-off identifying the suspects seen in the video and their whereabouts.
“Officers immediately responded to the given address in Newclare. Upon arrival, officers located the mother, who matched the description from the video. When questioned, she identified two other individuals present in the video, including the person who recorded it,” said Fihla.
Police took the three-year-old boy to hospital for medical attention, before taking him to a place of safety.
Image: Screengrab/IOL
Officers approached the identified suspects, introduced themselves, and questioned them about the footage.
“All three suspects confessed to using ‘mandrax’ and admitted to filming the incident. The suspects were promptly arrested on charges of child abuse and neglect. Their cellphones were confiscated as evidence,” said Fihla.
All three suspects were detained at Sophiatown South African Police Service (SAPS).
The child involved in the video has been safely removed from the environment and placed into the secure care of the SAPS FCS unit.
All three arrested suspects confessed to using ‘mandrax’ and admitted to filming the incident
Image: Supplied
Meanwhile, JMPD chief of police Commissioner Patrick Jaca has welcomed the arrest, adding that the operation displays JMPD's unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.
“The JMPD commends the vigilance of the community member who provided the tip-off, enabling a rapid response and ensuring the child's safety.
“This successful operation underscores the JMPD's unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and holding accountable those who endanger them," said Jaca.
The trio, aged between 28 and 36, will be charged with child abuse under domestic violence.
They will appear before the Johannesburg Regional Court on Thursday.