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Westbury Horror: Toddler Forced to Smoke Mandrax on Video

Published

2 months ago

July 31, 2025

Chiraag

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Viral clip shows child being urged to inhale drugs as four face attempted murder charges

South Africans were left stunned this week after a disturbing video went viral showing a toddler in Westbury being encouraged to smoke mandrax. In the footage, the young boy is seen lighting a drug-filled pipe for an adult before allegedly being told to inhale it himself.

The clip triggered national outrage and swift action from authorities. Four adults, including the child’s mother, were arrested and have since appeared in the Johannesburg Regional Court. All four face serious charges, including child abuse and attempted murder. They remain in custody until their next appearance on Monday.

JMPD’s rapid response

According to Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla, officers received a tip-off while on patrol. They traced the suspects to a home in Newclare, where the mother and two other individuals from the video were found.

“The suspects admitted to using mandrax and confirmed their involvement in filming the incident,” said Fihla. “They were arrested immediately, and their phones were confiscated as evidence.”

The suspects are being held at the Sophiatown SAPS station. The child, a three-year-old boy, was removed from the home and is now under the protection of the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.

Allegations against SAPS officer spark internal inquiry

While the JMPD and community acted quickly, questions have emerged about the SAPS response. A police officer is now under investigation for allegedly telling a complainant they would “deal with it tomorrow” when first alerted to the incident.

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that the matter has been escalated to Brigadier Phumzile Zulu, the provincial head of the FCS unit. An inquiry is underway.

Muridili emphasised that Gauteng has 22 FCS units and at least 66 detectives on standby after hours for urgent child-related cases.

Child in safety, but community furious

The child was taken for medical evaluation and has since been placed in a safe location. His grandmother assisted in alerting police and ensuring he was removed from harm.

Outside the courtroom, residents from Westbury and surrounding areas gathered to express anger and heartbreak. Community members and political party representatives called for justice and long-term solutions to protect children in struggling areas.

JMPD Chief Commissioner Patrick Jaca praised the vigilance of the resident who reported the video. “This shows what is possible when the community and police work together. We are committed to protecting our children,” said Jaca.

A deeper crisis

This isn’t just a single shocking incident; it’s part of a larger crisis. Westbury and many similar communities have long struggled with drugs, poverty, and crime. Experts say more needs to be done to address the root causes of abuse and neglect.

While the arrests are a step in the right direction, many fear that unless systemic change is prioritised, more children will slip through the cracks.

For now, a little boy is safe, but the trauma he endured will not be easily forgotten. Nor will the viral footage that forced South Africa to confront this brutal reality.