Sangoma appears in court, linked to murder of two-year-old
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The sangoma accused of working with Keneilwe Shalaba, the mother accused of selling her two-year-old son, Kutlwano Shalaba appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Monday.
The pair faces charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking and conspiracy to commit a robbery after Kutlwano was reported missing in November last year and it later emerged that R75,000 was deposited into Shalaba's bank account on the day of his disappearance.
The State alleges that Keneilwe Shalaba sold the child to sangoma Sebokoana Khounyana
In court, the matter was postponed to 05 June 2025, for legal representation for Khounyana with the state revealing that it intends to oppose his release on bail.
Khounyana's first appearance comes after the body of the child was recovered last week in a shallow grave, near the R28 in Bekkersdal, Randfontein.
In November last year, Keneilwe Shalaba reported that her child had been kidnapped and she was arrested three days later, after confessing to selling him to a sangoma.
After further investigation, cellphone records led police to Khoanyana.
When he was arrested, he confessed to playing a part in the disappearance and pointed out where the child was buried.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana said that an extra charge of premeditated murder was added against Shalaba with the possibility of further charges being added.
"A Lesotho national sangoma, Sebokoana Khounyana (50), appeared at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court on charges of premeditated murder and human trafficking of a two-year-old baby Kutlwano Shalaba.
"A charge of premeditated murder was added against the mother Kuneilwe Portia Shalaba (32), who was previously facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police. She said initial investigations suggested that Shalaba might have sold Kutlwano, however, as it stands, investigations are suggesting other things other than selling. However, we are still following up on those investigations and more charges might be added," Mahanjana said.
Keneilwe Shalaba and her co-accused, a Lesotho National Sangoma, Sebokoana Khounyana, 50, appeared at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court on charges of premeditated murder and human trafficking of a two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba.
Image: NPA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
23 minutes ago
- The Star
Here's what to expect in the Jayden-Lee Meek matter today
After more than a week of stating their case, closing arguments in the Tiffany Meek bail hearing are expected in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday. Meek, 31, from Fleurhof, faces charges of murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. Legal counsel are expected to give their closing arguments before Magistrate Annelin Africa, who is set to decide Meek's fate. Meek was arrested on July 11 and has been in custody since then. She previously urged the court to grant her bail as she is the sole breadwinner of her family and stated she could afford R5,000. Meek's lawyer, Noven Naidoo, concluded his cross-examination of the investigating officer on Friday. Naidoo brought up the fact that the police sergeant previously told the court it would be in Meek's best interest to stay behind bars. The court heard the public outcry from not only residents from Fleurhof, but South Africans at large, needed to be taken into consideration when making a judgment. The police sergeant said South Africans are angered at Meek, who was initially at the forefront for justice for her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, yet she is now sitting in the dock for murder. Earlier this week, the court asked the investigating officer to provide the memorandum handed over to SAPS that he previously mentioned. Protest actions by residents at the Florida police station resulted in community activists calling for a police station in Fleurhof, more visible policing, and prioritising the murder of Jayden-Lee, days earlier.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Here's what to expect in the Jayden-Lee Meek matter today
The 31-year-old, Tiffany Meek, mother of the 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, is accused of murdering her son. Image: Timothy Bernard / IOL Graphics After more than a week of stating their case, closing arguments in the Tiffany Meek bail hearing are expected in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday. Meek, 31, from Fleurhof, faces charges of murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. Legal counsel are expected to give their closing arguments before Magistrate Annelin Africa, who is set to decide Meek's fate. Meek was arrested on July 11 and has been in custody since then. She previously urged the court to grant her bail as she is the sole breadwinner of her family and stated she could afford R5,000. Meek's lawyer, Noven Naidoo, concluded his cross-examination of the investigating officer on Friday. Naidoo brought up the fact that the police sergeant previously told the court it would be in Meek's best interest to stay behind bars. The court heard the public outcry from not only residents from Fleurhof, but South Africans at large, needed to be taken into consideration when making a judgment. The police sergeant said South Africans are angered at Meek, who was initially at the forefront for justice for her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, yet she is now sitting in the dock for murder. Earlier this week, the court asked the investigating officer to provide the memorandum handed over to SAPS that he previously mentioned. Protest actions by residents at the Florida police station resulted in community activists calling for a police station in Fleurhof, more visible policing, and prioritising the murder of Jayden-Lee, days earlier. Naidoo also referred to an IOL article where the man who allegedly murdered a 14-year-old was granted bail in the same court. 'I am not familiar with the merits of that case,' the investigating officer said. Naidoo alluded that if this matter, which was allegedly premeditated, saw the court granting bail with only circumstantial evidence, the State in Jayden-Lee's matter could also probably not have a strong case, and bail should surely be considered. 'I do not agree with that. The State has a very strong case,' the police sergeant said. [email protected] IOL
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Macpherson suspends EPWP funds to Matjhabeng Municipality
This follows reports that the municipality's EPWP payroll is allegedly being used to pay inflated salaries. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has suspended all Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) fund transfers to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. This follows reports that the municipality's EPWP payroll is allegedly being used to pay inflated salaries, over R31,000 per month , to former councillors and current political office bearers while others are paid as little R1,500. This is more than ten times the average EPWP stipend. Jobs According to reports, municipal insiders said this practice continues to undermine the EPWP's purpose and prevents thousands of local young people from accessing jobs. Under EPWP rules, jobs must be short-term and skills-based, prioritising vulnerable and unemployed groups, particularly young people, women and people with disabilities. Employment is limited to 24 months within a five-year cycle. ALSO READ: WATCH: Macpherson not deterred by 'political pressure or death threats' over R800m oxygen tender 'Lifeline' Macpherson said the EPWP was established to provide short-term, skills-based work opportunities, not to serve as a vehicle for political patronage. 'The EPWP is an essential lifeline for many in communities across the country, including in Matjhabeng, and it would therefore be wholly unacceptable if any politician or official is found to have used the programme for personal benefit. 'We simply cannot turn a blind eye when serious allegations of abuse are raised, which is why I have instructed the department to suspend EPWP fund transfers until a formal investigation can be completed,' Macpherson said. Reformation Macpherson added that the allegations further reinforce his view that the EPWP must be reformed to eliminate any possibility of abuse and ensure that intended beneficiaries fully benefit from the programme, free from political interference. 'Through the EPWP Listening Tour conducted nationwide, we have heard several serious allegations of abuse — such as those in Matjhabeng — and it is therefore critical that the programme be strengthened to eliminate any possibility of corruption and political patronage. 'After 20 years, we are committed to reforming the EPWP to ensure it remains a viable platform for empowerment well into the future, as we work to build a better South Africa,' Macpherson said. EPWP The EPWP, which was launched in 2004, was meant to tackle unemployment through labour-intensive projects like road maintenance, sanitation and community work. Earlier this month, Macpherson vowed to restore public trust in his department by taking decisive action against mismanagement, repurposing idle state assets, and reforming the EPWP. Macpherson confirmed that investigations into the Telkom Towers project and the PSA Oxygen Plant, managed by the Independent Development Trust (IDT), are expected to be completed by late July 2025. ALSO READ: Zikalala slams 'spurious' allegations about R45m IDT lease deal, heads to Public Protector
