“I am not here to humiliate you,” Dereleen James declares in a live social media video before proceeding to do precisely that.

The Action SA member of the National Assembly recorded her surprise late-night visit, accompanied by police, to a house in Lentegeur on 8 April, claiming it is in response to complaints from several neighbours about comings and goings from the house, alleging possible drug dealing and child abuse and neglect going on there.

In the hour-long video she scolds, shouts, insults and belittles the residents before the crying children are removed from the house.

“We are doing an intervention,” she declares.

Nearly 18 minutes into the video James asks that the children’s faces not be shown but by this point several clear shots of their faces had already been visible.

‘Abuse of power’

Online reactions to the video have been mixed. Some social-media comments have labelled the video an abuse of power while others praised James as a hero.

Activists have spoken out strongly against the video, saying James’ actions were in violation of several child-protection laws.

Lynn Philips for the Mitchells Plain Safety Forum said James dealt with the situation inappropriately and that her actions caused further trauma to the children.

She said James’ intervention was not within her mandate.

“The trauma that those children faced last night, with her shouting on top of her voice, and speaking to parents in front of the minor children. The children started to cry, because she made it known in front of them that she would have them removed.”

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Philips also said that if there was truth to James’ allegation that there was substance abuse taking place in the house, then her actions might have made the situation worse.

“They might have been on substances,” Philips said, adding that she was not condoning a soft stance on crime. “My next question would have been to her, if that mothers asked to be assisted because they’re on substances, if they asked to be taken to a rehab centre, would she have acted in that fashion? Is there a place for those mothers to be sent to a rehab centre so that they can get clean and look after their children?”

Philips added that as an activist James’ should have known how to handle the situation better.

“Is she untouchable because the Popia act is very clear?” Philips said.

Political motivations

Michael Jacobs, the Lentegeur Community Police Forum (CPF) chair, said James’ actions “speak to political mobilisation.”

“She claimed she acted on information given to her by community members, but however good her intentions there was no need for a Facebook live video.”

He added that while the circumstances were cause for concern James’ intervention did not facilitate action from police.

“In light of the serious nature of the complaint the police were duty-bound to act in the best interests of those children found at the house. Section 152 of the South African Children’s Act 38 of 2005 authorises designated social workers or police officers to remove a child to temporary safe care without a court order. This emergency action applies when the child is in immediate danger and a delay would jeopardise their safety. This is not the first time Lentegeur police had acted on information concerning child neglect and abuse in the normal course of their duties, away from social media and political pressure.

“We also have a dedicated police officer responsible for dealing with GBV and domestic violence issues including child neglect and other issues. The officer is assisted by dedicated Victim Support Volunteers and anyone in need of assistance should not hesitate accessing that service.”

Jacobs added that the CPF would be meeting with the community to “sensitise them to matters relating to the care of children.

“We call on politicians not to weaponise poverty and to engage with the necessary urgency, yet to be mindful of the dignity and rights of others. We fully support our station management in ensuring that the children were taken to a safe and secure environment. We will engage with the member of Parliament Dereleen James to ensure we open communication channels and find a constructive working relationship from now on.”

Investigation

Provincial police spokesperson Col Andre Traut said: “The management of the South African Police Service in the Western Cape has taken note of scenes that unfolded on the evening of Wednesday 8 April 2026 at a residence in Lentegeur involving a politician and police officers. In light of concerns regarding certain aspects of the incident, a senior police officer has been appointed to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the matter. The South African Police Service remains committed to the protection of vulnerable members of society and will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure their safety.”

Taken to safety

Social Development MEC Jaco Londt confirmed the children had been taken to safety.

“The children have been placed in alternative care,” he said, but added that “DSD was not part of the planning, or present at the raid.”

He confirmed that police and social workers are mandated to remove children from situations of immediate danger and don’t need a court order.

“In general, when a child-protection investigation is underway the social worker will also work with the family and do necessary referrals and interventions, this could be referrals to family counselling, parenting programmes and other family-strengthening programmes and referral to substance-abuse services if needed. Where feasible and depending on the circumstances of the family the aim is reunification.

“We would like to remind everyone that at-risk children may not be identified, as this can further compound an already traumatic experience for those involved. The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) prohibits the publication of any children’s images without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. This is further supported by the Children’s Act. Caution must therefore be taken when filming in uncontrolled environments where children or other vulnerable people may appear in the footage.”