Helen Zille raises alarm after finding baby living in shocking conditions in Reiger Park

A visit intended to offer condolences to a grieving family in Reiger Park took an unexpected and deeply disturbing turn when Democratic Alliance mayoral candidates Helen Zille and Khathu Rasilingwane encountered a baby living in what they described as extremely poor conditions.

Zille, the DA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, said she was left deeply distressed after seeing a one-year-old child in a home where she alleged people were smoking drugs and where the child was exposed to smoke.

The incident took place during a visit to Ekurhuleni, where Zille and Rasilingwane had reportedly gone to support parents following the death of their child.

Instead, the visit drew their attention to another child welfare concern.

‘No child should grow up like this’

In a video shared by Zille, she described the conditions inside the home as among the most traumatic environments she had encountered.

She said the baby appeared extremely small and was hungry and crying while being exposed to fumes from drug use inside the property.

Zille also pointed to a fire that had reportedly burned inside the home and described the surroundings as filthy.

Her comments highlighted a wider concern about children growing up in environments affected by poverty, substance abuse and inadequate living conditions.

Zille questioned where the social workers responsible for the area were and called for immediate intervention.

She said she was particularly concerned after being told that several other children were reportedly being raised in similar circumstances.

A child welfare issue beyond politics

The situation raises questions that go beyond the political battle currently taking place in Gauteng.

For families living in communities such as Reiger Park, substance abuse, poverty and overcrowded or unsafe homes can create complicated challenges for children and caregivers.

When those problems intersect, children can become particularly vulnerable.

Zille said the child appeared severely undernourished to her and repeatedly expressed concern about the baby’s size and condition.

Those observations, however, should not be treated as a medical diagnosis without an assessment by qualified healthcare professionals.

The immediate concern, according to Zille, was whether the child could safely remain in the environment.

Social workers called to intervene

During the video, Zille appeared to speak with a person believed to be connected to Ekurhuleni’s social services about the child.

She was told that the child would be taken away from the home and that early intervention measures would be pursued.

Zille said she intended to follow up with Ekurhuleni’s social workers rather than simply leave after witnessing the conditions.

The incident puts the spotlight on the importance of child protection services, particularly in communities where social and economic pressures can make vulnerable children difficult to identify and protect.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Department of Social Development are expected to comment publicly on the circumstances surrounding the child and the intervention that followed.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com