Eastern Cape MEC condemns parents in viral alcohol video

The Eastern Cape Social Development Department has recently expressed outrage over a shocking video circulating widely on social media, which depicts a woman giving her young child alcohol.

In this distressing footage, various other children are also seen consuming alcohol under the supervision of their parents, showcasing a troubling culture of normalising substance abuse among minors.

The incident has drawn immediate condemnation from the provincial MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta. She asserted that such actions are not only irresponsible but also dangerous for the well-being of children. “Right now, our social workers are there in Engcobo.

We are going to do an assessment and make sure that this mother is fit to stay with those kids,” Fanta stated. “If at push, we will take those kids to a place of safety, and police are also on the ground to make sure that the woman is being jailed,” she added.

This disturbing situation has ignited a broader conversation about child welfare and the responsibilities of parents in South Africa.

The incident was also slammed by the Department of Social Development (DSD) following a disturbing 22-second video circulating on social media, which shows children believed to be between four and 12 years old holding and consuming alcohol while adults stand by in the background. The footage is believed to have been recorded on Christmas Day.

Speaking on behalf of the department, DSD spokesperson Sandy Godlwana said the department was shocked by the footage.

“We are committed to ensuring that those responsible for encouraging such behaviour are held accountable.” Godlwana further revealed that the department is currently investigating the matter and will take the necessary action.

“We call upon those who witnessed this incident or have information regarding where it took place to come forward and report it. The festive season should be a time of love, rest, and renewal. However, it is also a period when the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse increase, particularly among children and young people,” she said.

The alarming trend of exposing children to alcohol at such young ages raises significant questions about the societal norms surrounding parental behaviour and the legal frameworks in place to protect vulnerable minors. Fanta's commitment to intervene highlights the urgency of addressing these issues within communities, where such behaviours may be even more prevalent.

The department’s actions, signalling a coordinated response, aim not only safeguard the children involved but also to send a strong message to the wider society regarding the implications of substance abuse within familial settings.