Joburg Woman Arrested After Viral Video of Vicious Abusing of Toddler Sparks Outrage, SAPS Takes Child Away

An abusive mother has been arrested after a viral video of her brutally assaulting her young child caused widespread outrage on social media.

Police officers arrested the woman on Saturday after the toddler’s father opened a case at the Norwood Police Station. The child was also taken away from the woman And handed over to the Department of Social Development to be placed in a safe children’s home.

According to two social media, the lady filmed herself kicking her child to get back at the father, who had allegedly broken up with her, IOL reported.

The video may distressing to readers, but it can be watched here. The woman, whose name has been withheld to protect the child’s identity, appeared before the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Monday, 7 August, on a charge of assault with the intention of grievous bodily harm.

MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlope gave an update on the child’s condition on Tuesday, 8 August. Hlope said while the child is traumatised from the incident, he has been placed in a safe environment, The Citizen reported.

Hlope added: “We condemn such acts of child abuse and make a call to society to stamp out child abuse and to report such acts immediately. We owe it to our children to create a safe and loving environment for them.”

The abusive mother is expected to appear in the Children’s Court on Thursday, 10 August.