Ronewa Makhesha
THE toddler who was seen being kicked and trampled on in a video that went viral on social media has been placed in safe custody with the Gauteng Department of Social Welfare.
It alleged that the father of the one-year-old reported the matter to the Norwood Police Station and the child was removed from his mother.
The explicit 13-second video emerged on Saturday and shows someone kicking the child and stepping on his throat and chest as he lay on the ground.The child’s father reported the mother to the Norwood police station in Johannesburg.
The Gauteng police have since confirmed that they are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and the police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the mother appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
“The mother was released, and the matter not placed on the court roll as the SAPS was instructed to first collect both cell phones of both parents for further investigation,” he said.
Gauteng Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment MEC Mbali Hlophe said her department had moved swiftly to ensure the child’s removal and protection. She condemned the incident and called on people to report cases of child abuse.
“Working with our NPO, the Gauteng Department of Social Development has made arrangements to take the child to a children’s home, post his visit to a hospital where he received a full health assessment to verify the extent of injury from the ordeal.
“The child is currently in safe care, receiving treatment and care under the warm embrace of our childcare workers,” said Hlophe, adding that the child was exhibiting signs of trauma and spent most of the day crying.
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