Mother Among 3 Arrested After Viral Video Shows Toddler Given Mandrax Pipe to Smoke, SA Furious
- Three people, including the mother, were arrested for forcing a toddler to smoke from a mandrax pipe
- A video of the incident went viral online, prompting a local pastor to spring into action and locate the suspects
- South Africans voiced their frustration online at the actions of the adults in the viral video clip
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Outrage is brewing on social media after a video went viral showing a young boy being encouraged to smoke drugs.
The video of the three-year-old surfaced online on the evening of 29 July 2025, prompting outrage from all who saw it. The video also prompted people online to try and raise alarms over the actions depicted and get help for the youngster.
As a result, three people have been arrested, including the child’s mother.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
What happened in the video?
In the now-viral video, the youngster is encouraged to light a mandrax pipe for his mother, which he does. Two male voices can then be heard encouraging him to pull from the pipe as well.
After he does so the first time, the men encourage him to pull harder, and then tell him to blow out slowly. The video then shows the three-year-old looking extremely proud of himself.
You can watch the video here.
Source: Getty Images
What happened to the mother?
Following the video going viral, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) received a tip-off and arrived at the home at Bertha Flats, Newclare, Johannesburg, where they found the suspects in the video.
The mother was questioned by officers and identified the two other individuals in the video. All three were arrested after they confessed to using mandrax and admitted to filming the incident. The child has also been taken to a place of safety after he was taken to the hospital.
The suspects will appear in the Johannesburg Regional Court on 31 July 2025. They will be charged in connection with child abuse under the Domestic Violence Act.
Pastor earns praise for proactive approach
While social media users were expressing outrage at the adults in the video, others praised Pastor Curt Van Heerden. Pastor van Heerden was instrumental in ensuring that the mother and the men were located and stayed with them until the police arrived. He also ensured that the youngster was taken to a hospital and placed in the company of his father and grandmother. The pastor also shared videos and photos throughout the night, providing updates on the case and the well-being of the boy.
On 30 July 2025, he also indicated that they were searching for a fourth person who was present during the incident, but was not arrested by police.
Read also
Wife of late cyclist Dennis Hammar recounts distressing police encounter: "It’s a disgrace"
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were outraged by the conduct of the mother and the men, demanding that justice be served. Others thanked Pastor van Heerden for his assistance.
Bongani Radebe said:
“Imagine if the was no social media.”
Eileen Van Der Westhuizen noted:
“They are caught and locked up. Go to Pastor Curt Van Heerden's page and see videos. Pastor Curt did a phenomenal job last night. He was live a few minutes ago looking for suspect number four.”
Timothy Morgan stated:
“Would've never been found if it were up to SAPS, thank you, Curt Van Heerden.”
Marietjie Loots exclaimed:
“Oh my word, that is crazy. What is wrong with that woman?”
Tale Munjanja noted:
“People who do that don't see anything wrong with it. They think it's a trend, but that is child abuse.”
Sandra Biz Tav added:
“People are such idiots. It makes me sick. Why do they even have children? Poor child. I hope he has a brighter future.”
Child rescued from terrible living conditions
Briefly News reported that a child was rescued from terrible living conditions by a human rights non-profit organisation (NPO) in November 2023.
The NPO, Unchain our Children, shared a video of the house, which was dirty and unsafe beyond comprehension.
Netizens bawled and asked for the dog, which was in one of the rooms in the footage, to be saved as well.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
