Judgment reserved in bail hearing for accused in child drug case

Court denies 3 accused of instructing a child to smoke drugs of bail.

The Johannesburg Magistrates Court has reserved judgment in the bail application of one of the four people shown on a video instructing a 4-year-old boy to smoke what’s believed to be drugs.

The case has been postponed to Friday.

Three other accused have abandoned bail. The four accused, who include the boy’s mother, were arrested in Newclare, Johannesburg, last month.

“Three of the accused, including the mother of the child, have abandoned bail. While accused number 2 continued with his bail application.

The court heard that the 30-year-old has a previous conviction for possession of drugs, 7 years ago and that he was the one who was taking the video that went viral.

The state is opposing bail, arguing that the community would be outraged if the accused were released on bail. However, the defence states that accused number 2 was no danger to the community, and he didn’t appear on the video taking drugs. All four accused have been in custody since their arrests on July 29.”

[WATCH] The state has opposed bail for accused number two in the child abuse and attempted murder case, linked to a viral video of a four-year-old boy allegedly smoking drugs. The child’s mother and two other accused have abandoned their bail bids. pic.twitter.com/klIwsQeCi9

— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 18, 2025