Latest news with #VanderbijlparkMagistrate'sCourt
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- The Citizen
Murder, human trafficking accused sangoma abandons bail application
A sangoma, who is a Lesotho foreign national, abandoned his bail application at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court. Sebokoana Khounyana (50) faces charges of premeditated murder and human trafficking of a 2-year-old baby, and being in the country illegally. His co-accused, the mother of the child, Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba (32), faces charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police. NPA regional spokesperson for the Gauteng division, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that on 10 November 2024, Shalaba took her child to the sangoma and requested him to kill the child because she was not happy with the baby's gender and was tired of hiding from her family that in fact, the child was a girl. 'Shalaba allegedly fed the baby poison and after the baby died, she allegedly took the child and buried the body in a shallow grave in Waterpan. After police investigations, the sangoma was arrested on 29 May and subsequently made a confession. He showed the police where the body of the child was buried. 'After the brief appearance in court, the matter was postponed to 6 August for further investigations. The court previously denied the mother's release on bail,' said Mahanjana. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Star
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Nation in shock as a mother sells her own child
Staff Reporter | Published 2 hours ago The tragic case of a two-year-old boy allegedly sold by his mother for R75 000 has sent shockwaves through South Africa, reigniting urgent questions about the country's deepening social, psychological, and spiritual crisis. Keneilwe Shalaba, 28, appeared this week before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on charges of human trafficking and conspiracy to commit a crime. She is accused of selling her toddler son, Kutlwano, last November. The boy's body was discovered last week following the arrest of a traditional healer allegedly connected to the case. According to police, the money — R75 000 — was deposited into Shalaba's bank account on the same day the child went missing. The transaction and the months-long silence that followed left the local community stunned, and the courtroom was packed with outraged residents demanding justice. 'This isn't just a legal case. It's a symptom of a much deeper spiritual and societal sickness,' said one local pastor who joined community members outside the court. As more details emerge, so too does the question: how could a mother sell her own child? Experts believe the answer lies not only in poverty and desperation but in a far more unsettling realm — spiritual decay and psychological collapse. Dr Thandi Mokoena, a Johannesburg-based psychiatrist, says the case is emblematic of growing mental health disorders fuelled by drug abuse, trauma, and lack of support. 'We are seeing a breakdown of basic empathy and maternal instinct. Substance abuse is a key factor, but so is spiritual confusion. Many individuals are turning to harmful practices in search of hope or financial gain.' Police believe Shalaba may have been influenced or manipulated by individuals involved in occult practices or ritual trafficking. The involvement of a sangoma (traditional healer) has raised further fears about children being used in ritual killings — a chilling reality that, while rare, is not unheard of in some parts of the country. This case underscores a broader crisis in South Africa — one that goes beyond crime statistics and courtrooms. Many citizens and spiritual leaders are calling it a 'spiritual war' — a collapse of values, mental well-being, and community structures. 'Satanism, occultism, and false prophets have infiltrated our towns,' said local activist Lebo Mhlongo. 'People are turning to darkness in search of power and wealth. We are fighting a war for the soul of our nation.' The Department of Social Development has called for stronger protective systems for vulnerable children and mental health support for families. But overwhelmed by widespread poverty, unemployment, and under-resourced police units, progress remains slow. Meanwhile, South Africa continues to wrestle with rising cases of human trafficking. According to 2024 data from the Human Rights Commission, thousands of children are reported missing each year, many believed to be trafficked for labour, sex work, or ritual purposes. In court, Shalaba showed no emotion. Her legal team has yet to enter a plea, and the case was postponed to allow further investigation. The sangoma arrested in connection with Kutlwano's death is expected to appear in court later this month. Outside the courtroom, the atmosphere was tense and emotional. 'What happened to that little boy is evil,' one community member shouted. 'We are here because this must never happen again.' A memorial service for Kutlwano is scheduled for this week. ''Community leaders are expected to use the gathering to call for national prayer and healing. The murder of Kutlwano Shalaba is more than a criminal act — it is a mirror reflecting the spiritual and psychological battles raging within society.''
The Star
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
What happened to the maternal love?
On May 11th, South Africa took a moment to celebrate and remember mothers, acknowledging the comfort, care, and boundless love that mothers embody. Those fortunate enough to have experienced this special maternal love should indeed treasure those memories. However, the recent news surrounding two deeply disturbing cases stands in stark contrast to this sentiment. A six-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy became victims in profoundly troubling ways. Keneilwe Shalaba, the mother of the two-year-old, Kutlwano, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court this week, accused of selling her son for R75 000. Tragically, Kutlwano, who had been missing since November of last year despite extensive searches, was found dead last week. A traditional healer is also expected to be implicated in this heartbreaking case. Adding to this sorrow is the case of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who disappeared from her Saldanha Bay home on February 19, 2024. The court revealed that Joshlin was reportedly sold for R20 000. Her mother, Racquel ''Kelly'' Smith, along with her boyfriend and a family acquaintance, were found guilty in the Western Cape High Court and received life sentences. While justice may have been served in this instance, Joshlin herself remains missing. These cases, along with the countless others where children have suffered such fates at the hands of their mothers, are deeply distressing. While some commentators attribute these acts to poverty, it's important to remember the countless mothers who make immense sacrifices to provide for their children, working tirelessly in difficult conditions to ensure their well-being. We heard stories of mothers who sell toasted corn by the street corner to support their kids; and mothers walk the streets in the blazing sun, selling tripe, just to make sure that their children don't go to bed on an empty stomach. Ultimately, it seems that greed, with money as the driving force, lies at the heart of these unthinkable crimes.
IOL News
03-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
What happened to the maternal love?
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. On May 11th, South Africa took a moment to celebrate and remember mothers, acknowledging the comfort, care, and boundless love that mothers embody. Those fortunate enough to have experienced this special maternal love should indeed treasure those memories. However, the recent news surrounding two deeply disturbing cases stands in stark contrast to this sentiment. A six-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy became victims in profoundly troubling ways. Keneilwe Shalaba, the mother of the two-year-old, Kutlwano, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court this week, accused of selling her son for R75 000. Tragically, Kutlwano, who had been missing since November of last year despite extensive searches, was found dead last week. A traditional healer is also expected to be implicated in this heartbreaking case. Adding to this sorrow is the case of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who disappeared from her Saldanha Bay home on February 19, 2024. The court revealed that Joshlin was reportedly sold for R20 000. Her mother, Racquel ''Kelly'' Smith, along with her boyfriend and a family acquaintance, were found guilty in the Western Cape High Court and received life sentences. While justice may have been served in this instance, Joshlin herself remains missing. These cases, along with the countless others where children have suffered such fates at the hands of their mothers, are deeply distressing. While some commentators attribute these acts to poverty, it's important to remember the countless mothers who make immense sacrifices to provide for their children, working tirelessly in difficult conditions to ensure their well-being. We heard stories of mothers who sell toasted corn by the street corner to support their kids; and mothers walk the streets in the blazing sun, selling tripe, just to make sure that their children don't go to bed on an empty stomach. Ultimately, it seems that greed, with money as the driving force, lies at the heart of these unthinkable crimes.
IOL News
02-06-2025
- IOL News
Sangoma appears in court, linked to murder of two-year-old
Keneilwe Shalaba, accused of selling her two-year-old son Kutloano Shalaba, is reported to have given birth to another child while in custody. 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
