The Gauteng Department of Social Development is condemning the behaviour of parents following a video that went viral on social media where a toddler is seen smoking a pipe with an unknown substance in a broken bottle top.
The Department categorically wishes to state that it is gravely outraged by the irresponsible behaviour of the toddler's parents and further commit to investigating the incident in order to provide the necessary intervention that will help the child. The Department further condemns actions that harm children such as violence and negligence and would like to emphasize the importance of positive role modeling and responsible behaviour to our children.
This incident is both unfortunate and barbaric and the Department welcomes the arrest of the three (3) suspects involved from Newclare in Johannesburg including the mother who is detained at a police station.
The Department calls on community members (particularly those who claim to be community activist and take to posting on social media) to instead take action against these kinds of incidents by reporting to the relevant institutions and/or law enforcement agencies.
Rather than share such videos widely, the Department appeals to the citizens to forward such videos to the police or to the Department so that action can be taken against perpetrators whilst ensuring children's rights are protected and not violated through such social media postings.
As the custodian of the Children's Act, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) condemns the constant disregard of children's safety and protection in the province.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development is condemning the behaviour of parents following a video that went viral on social media where a toddler is seen smoking a pipe with an unknown substance in a broken bottle top.
The Department categorically wishes to state that it is gravely outraged by the irresponsible behaviour of the toddler's parents and further commit to investigating the incident in order to provide the necessary intervention that will help the child. The Department further condemns actions that harm children such as violence and negligence and would like to emphasize the importance of positive role modeling and responsible behaviour to our children.
This incident is both unfortunate and barbaric and the Department welcomes the arrest of the three (3) suspects involved from Newclare in Johannesburg including the mother who is detained at a police station.
The Department calls on community members (particularly those who claim to be community activist and take to posting on social media) to instead take action against these kinds of incidents by reporting to the relevant institutions and/or law enforcement agencies.
Rather than share such videos widely, the Department appeals to the citizens to forward such videos to the police or to the Department so that action can be taken against perpetrators whilst ensuring children's rights are protected and not violated through such social media postings.
As the custodian of the Children's Act, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) condemns the constant disregard of children's safety and protection in the province.