Westbury in Shock: Toddler Filmed Smoking Mandrax Sparks Outrage and Arrests

Heartbreak, horror, and a community demanding answers

In a video that has horrified South Africans from every corner of the internet, a toddler from Westbury is seen lighting a bottle neck allegedly laced with mandrax for his mother, before being encouraged to take a puff himself.

The child, barely old enough to string full sentences together, is seen surrounded by adults who laugh, film, and participate in the abuse. Within hours of the video going viral, three adults, the child’s mother and two men were arrested thanks to a tip-off to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

“He’s just a baby”: The clip that shook the country

Social media erupted in anger and disbelief as the video made its rounds on TikTok and WhatsApp.

“You can’t unsee something like that. How does a mother let that happen?” tweeted one user.

Others called for long-term jail time and better intervention services. The story hit a nerve in a country still grappling with widespread drug addiction, poverty, and systemic child neglect.

In areas like Westbury, where gang violence and drug use are longstanding issues, this latest incident has become a symbol of the cracks in both the social fabric and the justice system.

Swift police action, but questions remain

According to JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, officers from the K9 Unit were conducting routine patrols on Tuesday night when they received an anonymous tip-off.

They followed the lead to Newclare, where they located the mother and two other individuals who matched the description from the footage.

“All three suspects confessed to using mandrax and to filming the child with the drugs,” said Fihla.

The suspects were arrested on the spot. Their phones were seized as evidence. The child was taken to a hospital for a medical check-up before being placed into protective care.

FCS Unit and police accountability under the spotlight

While the JMPD acted quickly, the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit is facing internal scrutiny. Allegations surfaced that a police officer from the FCS unit initially brushed off the complaint when it was first reported, saying they would “deal with it tomorrow.”

This prompted the provincial head of the unit, Brigadier Phumzile Zulu, to order an internal inquiry into the officer’s conduct.

“This kind of apathy when a child’s life is at risk is unacceptable,” said one activist from the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children.

Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that 66 detectives across 22 Gauteng-based FCS units are supposed to be on standby after hours. Whether that protocol was followed is now part of the investigation.

Charges, court dates, and next steps

The three suspects, aged between 28 and 36, will face charges of child abuse under the Domestic Violence Act. They are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Thursday.

In the meantime, the child,  only three years old remains under the care of child protection authorities, while the community of Westbury and the broader public wait anxiously for justice to take its full course.

A broader issue: Drug abuse and children in danger

This tragic case is not isolated. In many low-income communities in Johannesburg, drug use happens openly in front of children, who are often left to fend for themselves. Organisations working on the ground say they’re overwhelmed, underfunded, and often unable to respond quickly.

If anything, this horrifying video has forced a nation to once again confront the realities of child neglect, addiction, and systemic failure.

What You Can Do
If you suspect child abuse, call SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report it to your nearest police station. You can also contact Childline South Africa on 0800 055 555.

{Source: IOL}

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