Mother who made her child smoke joint and drink booze gets bail but denied access to child

After a video of a 21-year-old mother and her 19-year-old friend who allegedly recorded themselves encouraging a toddler to drink alcohol and smoke dagga went viral, the pair were arrested and made to face the court.

The both appeared before the Dzanani magistrate’s court in Limpopo on Thursday and were granted bail.

According to police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, they were released on bail of R2,000 each.

“They are expected back in court on September 30 2020. The bail conditions are that they cannot access the child, who has been moved to a place of safety, and should not interfere with police investigations,” said Mojapelo.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said they are faced with two charges.

“They face charges of contravening the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005 [child abuse] and contravening the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 [related to alcohol and smoking],” said NPA spokesperson in Limpopo Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.

The women were arrested last week after videos of their alleged crime went viral on Social media.

The videos shows the 21-year old mother giving her two year old son dagga and alcohol to consume while the voice of the 19-year-old accomplice was heard in the background, indulging the boy to do as he was told.

Mojapelo said the child is no longer in the care of his mother. He has already been handed over to his grandmother.