The teenager was arrested last Friday (31/1) on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice following the death of his brother (3) in Orange Farm. Police and community members searched for him, and he was arrested later that day. 

The suspect allegedly placed the child in a dustbin and dragged it toward an open veld near the N1 after poisoning him. “Another sibling followed him and demanded to see what was in the bin,” said Orange Farm police spokesperson Shaan Motsapi.

The suspect refused and got away during the subsequent argument. When police arrived, they found the lifeless body of the toddler inside the bin.

Meanwhile, the case of a Vanderbijlpark mother accused of selling her two-year-old has been postponed to Wednesday (5/2). She made a brief appearance in the local magistrate’s court on Monday to apply for bail.

Keneilwe Shalaba (33) faces charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and providing false information to the police. SowetanLIVE reports Shalaba admitted in court a large sum of money was deposited into her bank account on the day she reported her child missing but refused to disclose its source.

Keneiwe Shalaba accused of selling her 2-year-old son Kutlwano to unknown men in November last year is pleading with the court to release her on bail. She says she is 9 months pregnant with twins and prison conditions are not condusive. @SowetanLIVE pic.twitter.com/0QDiueu414

— Jeanette Chabalala (@J_chabalala) February 3, 2025

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahinjana said the two-year-old’s whereabouts remain unknown despite extensive police efforts. Officers will continue looking for him and try to bring those responsible to justice.

Police urge anyone with information on Kutlwano’s whereabouts to contact Sgt Thembeka Maxambela on 079 695 1338 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

‘Police discovered there’d been no kidnapping’

Shalaba allegedly sold her son Kutlwano on Sunday, 10 November. Three days later she went to the Boipatong police station and reported a kidnapping, claiming that three men had snatched her son from her back before fleeing in a silver VW Polo.

Police discovered there’d been no kidnapping, and she allegedly confessed to lying to the police. She was arrested on Tuesday, 19 November.

During her court appearance, Shalaba pleaded for bail, saying she is heavily pregnant with twins and has two other children who need her care.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh