Mother arrested for making her child smoke

Director of The Teddy Bear Clinic, Dr Shaheda Omar, says the seemingly rising trend of mothers hurting or killing their children reflects a disturbing loss of perceived value to their loved one.

Omar’s comments come after Gauteng police arrested the mother of the three-year-old boy, who was filmed inhaling alleged narcotics through a makeshift pipe.

Two other people, who can be heard in the video encouraging the toddler to smoke after lighting the substance, have also been detained.

Authorities says the trio admitted to using mandrax.

The video, which went viral on social media on Wednesday, has triggered widespread outrage – with many questioning how a mother could allow this.

Speaking to YNews, Dr Omar describes such incidents as concerning and disheartening.

 

The toddler in the video has now been removed from the harmful environment and placed in the care of the South African Police Service’s Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Thursday for child abuse and neglect charges.

Police investigations into the matter are continuing.

Dr Omar says more needs to be done to protect children.

The case comes amid public concern over the number of mothers who are implicated in the deaths and abuse of their children. These include Jayden-Lee Meek’s mother and Kutlwano Shalaba’s mother who are respectively suspected of the murder and cover-up of their children’s murders.

Some South African have taken to social media to voice their opinion on the matter.

URGENT ! @childwelfare_sa. @GautengHealth. #Childabuse #drug addiction. @SAPoliceService @SABCNews @Radio702 @eNCA Many children are being neglected at Newclare flats. Please make this video trend so the social workers can see this! They stay in Newclare at Bertha flats. HELP pic.twitter.com/OO4IZ4S4fp

— BOSMONT COMMUNITY (@BOSMONT_unite) July 29, 2025

Colourds in Westbury,Claremont,Newclare don’t deserve kids man💔😪. https://t.co/NBhFPQkBOD

— Blackula🇿🇼🇿🇦 (@Blaqkula) July 30, 2025

An irresponsible mother allowing a toddler to smoke.

Courts need to get harder on mothers. pic.twitter.com/vQp7Z2WdU4

— 🍉 Jenna_🇿🇦 🇵🇸 🇷🇺 (@Jenna_original2) July 30, 2025