A Soweto mother, arrested on charges of child neglect, was granted bail of R1 500 on Friday.

Her toddler was raped earlier this week allegedly while the mother was out drinking.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane visited the victim and said she supported the arrest.

The mother is back in court on Monday and Mokonyane said she would keep a close eye on proceedings.

She appealed to police not to treat child neglect as a minor crime.

She said provincial authorities would step up the fight against child abuse and called on Gauteng residents to report neglect and abuse even if they were reporting their own family members.