Mother Arrested After Allegedly Leaving Children Hungry While Drinking in Free State
- A Free State mother faces a child neglect charge after her six-year-old was found wandering the streets instead of attending school
- A child and youth care worker traced the mother to a tavern, where her five-year-old was allegedly with her while she was under the influence
- Social workers had previously supported the family for six months, but the mother reportedly turned down help for alcohol dependency
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FREE STATE — A mother from Zastron is set to appear before the Zastron Magistrate's Court on a charge of child neglect after police arrested her following reports that her three children were being left without adequate care.
According to IOL, The incident came to light on 31 August 2026, when a child and youth care worker raised concern about the welfare of the family's six-year-old boy. Investigations began the following day, according to Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Sinah Mpakane.
Child found wandering the streets
Mpakane said the boy had not attended school because his mother had failed to wash his uniform.
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"The six-year-old boy did not attend school because his mother failed to wash his school clothes," she said.
The child was later found walking the streets and told officials his mother had sent him to a nearby shop to purchase maize meal.
Mother located at a tavern
Ms M Gelderblom, an employee of Free State Care in Action, launched a search for the mother after growing alarmed by the boy's situation. Gelderblom located her at Stop 2 Tavern in Itumeleng, where police said she appeared to be intoxicated. The woman's five-year-old child was allegedly with her at the time, visibly dirty and poorly cared for. Both children were also reportedly hungry.
Authorities additionally flagged concerns about the mother's 14-year-old, who has allegedly been absent from school on multiple occasions due to conditions at home.
Family had prior social worker support
The case has drawn further concern given that the family had already been known by welfare services. Social workers provided assistance to the household between June and December 2025, specifically targeting the children's wellbeing. Despite this intervention, the mother allegedly declined to seek treatment for alcohol dependency.
Police further alleged that the children were at times left without food while the mother was intoxicated.
The allegations against the woman have not yet been tested in court, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Free State couple arrrested for child neglect
Briefly News also reported on a similar incident that has tragic circumstances. The South African Police Service arrested a young couple in Reitz, Free State, after they left their children in their shack while they went out drinking. The couple aged 23 and 25 were arrested at the Petsana Informal Settlement in Reitz, Free State, after their children were burned to death on 3 May 2025. According to the South African Police Service, the young couple left their 18-month-old and seven-month-old toddlers alone in their shack while they went out to a drinking establishment in the dead of night.
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Source: Briefly News
