Central SA
Vanderbijlpark mom accused of selling toddler, to apply for bail─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:52 Thu, 06 Feb 2025
The case of a Vanderbijlpark mother accused of selling her two-year-old has been postponed to Wednesday (12/2) for the continuation of the investigating officer’s testimony.
Keneilwe Shalaba (33) faces charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and providing false information to the police. She appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (5/2) for a bail application.
“The two-year-old’s whereabouts remain unknown despite extensive police efforts. Officers will continue searching for him and work to bring those responsible to justice,” said Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahinjana.
Police have urged anyone with information on Kutlwano’s whereabouts to contact Sgt Thembeka Maxambela on 079 695 1338 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Shalaba allegedly sold her son, Kutlwano, on Sunday, 10 November. Three days later, she reported a kidnapping at the Boipatong police station, claiming that three men had snatched the child from her back before fleeing in a silver VW Polo.
However, police investigations revealed that no kidnapping had taken place. She was arrested on Tuesday, 19 November, after allegedly confessing to lying to the police.
The Sowetan reports when Shalaba appeared in court on Monday (3/2), she admitted a large sum of money had been deposited into her bank account on the day she reported her child missing but refused to disclose its source. She further pleaded for bail, saying she was nine months pregnant with twins and that prison conditions would be unsuitable for her.
Keneiwe Shalaba, 33, accused of selling her two-year-old son Kutlwano to unknown men in November last year is back in the Vanderbijlpark magistrate's court for continuation of bail application. @SowetanLIVE pic.twitter.com/yNkNdDXOkK
— Jeanette Chabalala (@J_chabalala) February 5, 2025
According to testimony from the investigating officer, Shalaba had informed her landlord three days before Kutlwano’s disappearance that she was travelling to Durban to buy clothing to resell. That was the last time the landlord and neighbours saw the child.
Testifying in court, Sgt George Motloung stated that Shalaba told her on the day of the alleged kidnapping, three men had offered her a lift. When she refused, “one of the occupants in the vehicle opened the door, snatched Kutlwano from her, and the car drove off”.
