Sangoma shocks Vanderbijlpark court with guilty plea in toddler's kidnapping and murder
Sedibeng Ster reports that Sebokoane Khanyane (50) stunned the packed Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court this morning when he told the magistrate, 'I'm guilty', during his appearance alongside the toddler's accused mother, Keneilwe Shalaba.
The traditional healer, facing charges of human trafficking and premeditated murder, was arrested last Thursday, following an ongoing investigation by Boipatong SAPS detectives.
His arrest led to a gruesome discovery of a lifeless body buried in a shallow grave at Waterpan Road in Bekkersdal.
The toddler was initially reported missing by his mother in November last year. Investigations, however, revealed that the mother was involved in the disappearance of her child.
She was arrested on charges of human trafficking, making a false statement to the police, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
In court, when asked about his legal representation, Khanyane casually told the magistrate he was guilty, before quickly changing his mind and requesting a state attorney.
Addressing the media following the appearance, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said: 'A charge of premeditated murder was also added to the mother.
'Investigations at the time suggested that the mother might have sold the child to the sangoma, but as it stands, the investigators are suggesting other things rather than selling. More charges might be added against both the accused.'
In court, the sangoma's rights were explained to him. He told the court he was pleading guilty, however, the court quickly told him that it was not the right platform to plead yet.
Shalaba and Khoanyana are expected back in court on Thursday.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
10 minutes ago
- Daily Maverick
Patriotic Alliance crisis — McKenzie set to announce next move in Kunene saga
All eyes will be on the Patriotic Alliance as it seeks to clarify the next steps in the ongoing Kenny Kunene saga after his resignation from the City of Johannesburg council. On Monday, 28 July, Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie is expected to announce the party's new representative in the City of Johannesburg following the resignation of Kenny Kunene, the party's deputy president. Kunene resigned as councillor and as Johannesburg mayoral committee member (MMC) for transport on 25 July after he was found at the Sandton house of murder accused Katiso 'KT' Molefe earlier in the week when police were there to arrest Molefe. Party spokesperson Steve Motale told Daily Maverick that, as the party, 'we believe in the innocence' of Kunene. Kunene has been suspended from PA activities for 30 days while an internal investigation is under way. However, Motale said there was no replacement for Kunene and he 'remains the deputy president'. Kunene would return to work as soon as the investigation had been concluded. McKenzie is expected to issue an update on Kunene on Monday, in an address to party followers on Facebook. Kunene made headlines after he was seen at the home of Molefe, who was arrested in connection with the killing of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody, in a 2022 drive-by shooting in Woodmead, Johannesburg. He died alongside his bodyguard after the vehicle they were travelling in was peppered with bullets. As Daily Maverick reported, Kunene claimed he was not friends with Molefe, but had visited the Sandton house in his capacity as owner of online publication African News Global. He had gone there with an unnamed individual who had arranged for Kunene's media company to conduct an exclusive interview with Molefe. Alongside Kunene was an unnamed journalist who would be conducting the interview. In a media blitz last week Kunene claimed to be in the process of removing himself from the publication owing to time constraints, and handing it over to young journalists. McKenzie described Kunene as his brother, and the two are godparents to each other's children. Kunene, McKenzie said, 'would never get involved with murders. That's not him. He's a good man.' Kunene's suspension and resignations On Friday, 25 July, McKenzie posted on X about his communication with party secretary-general Chinelle Stevens about Kunene's suspension as PA deputy president. In his letter, McKenzie said this came from engagements with Kunene 'regarding certain allegations that have arisen against him. These relate to a public perception that his provided reasons for being found at the home of an alleged member of a murder syndicate should be tested.' According to McKenzie, Kunene 'has agreed to cooperate with an investigation, which will be led by a competent legal team. Until such time as he is fully cleared, he has agreed to step aside from his political role in the PA, and he will therefore not act and work in any official capacity in the party while on suspension.' Kunene then also resigned as councillor and transport MMC, in letters addressed to Johannesburg council speaker Margarete Arnolds and mayor Dada Morero. This is the hardest letter I ever had to write in my entire life, for sake of full transparency I am putting it here. — Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 26, 2025 As Daily Maverick has reported, only Morero has the prerogative to remove or replace MMCs, which he can do at any time and without council approval, according to section 60 of the Municipal Systems Act. This crisis has engulfed the PA during a week in which it won another by-election – in the DA heartland of Drakenstein (Paarl, Wellington) – as the party steadily makes inroads across the country in terms of electoral support at local government level. It is also part of the Government of National Unity. The DA in Johannesburg said it noted Kunene's resignation. Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the party's Johannesburg caucus leader, said in a statement that even though Kunene was no longer a councillor, the party still demanded an investigation of 'all contracts and procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA); full investigation into the contractors and procurement of the Lilian Ngoyi Street Repairs; full investigation into contracts, appointments and procurement processes at the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC)'. Kunene, as transport MMC, had direct political oversight of these processes, organisations and projects. Daily Maverick's ongoing reporting in Johannesburg reveals potholes, unstable leadership and service delivery problems, from water to roads. Kayser-Echeozonjoku said: 'Should the Executive Mayor fail to respond to the DA within 7 days, the DA will use all avenues at our disposal, including approaching law enforcement with the information available to us, to hold the Executive Mayor as Shareholder representative himself responsible for the alleged irregularities at JRA and MTC.' Kunene's resignation from the mayoral committee comes as a reshuffle is due for Morero, since Arnolds is no longer the finance MMC after becoming speaker. Motale told Daily Maverick that the PA still had a seat on the mayoral committee and Morero would communicate the next steps soon. Good party councillor in Johannesburg, Matthew Cook, said that 'while questions remain regarding his relationship with murder-accused Katiso 'KT' Molefe, we acknowledge Kunene's decision to step aside as a responsible and necessary step in defence of public trust.' Cook, who is the party's national chairperson, said: 'Kunene's resignation, while not an admission of wrongdoing, demonstrates a degree of maturity often absent in local government. His departure allows space for due process, transparency and a fair resolution in the interest of all parties involved.' He continued: 'Johannesburg has no shortage of urgent issues demanding attention: collapsing infrastructure, growing commuter frustrations, service delivery backlogs and a need to overhaul the city's transport networks. These challenges require an MMC that is fully focused, credible and above reproach.' He said: 'Good remains committed to placing the interests of Johannesburg's residents above politics. We support all efforts to promote ethical governance, safeguard due process and reinforce a culture of accountability, transparency and dignity in local government.' DM
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Police captain commits suicide after killing girlfriend and her brother
Gauteng police have opened an inquest docket in Protea after a police captain committed suicide after he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and her brother. The incident happened in Protea, Soweto, on Saturday night, 26 July. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Gauteng, colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said it is alleged that the group was at home celebrating the birthday of the captain's girlfriend, who is also a police officer. 'The captain reportedly called the girlfriend to the side, and that is when people saw him draw a firearm, and shoot her and her brother dead while three other civilians sustained injuries. He then turned the gun on himself,' Nevhuhulwi explained. Two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and an inquest docket were opened at Protea police station for further investigation. Meanwhile Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni expressed his sadness at this incident and sent his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. 'We give our members these tools to protect themselves against criminals, so it is very disheartening to see the very same tools being used to kill their loved ones. I urge our members to make use of employee health and wellness facilities to assist them to deal with any problems they may be facing, whether work or personal, EHW is always there', Mthombeni said. Recently, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) called on the SAPS to strengthen its mental health and wellness support programmes for officers, following a tragic incident involving one of its own. A female police constable, Ntombethemba Mgidi, appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court on Monday, 22 July, after being arrested in connection with the fatal shootings of two fellow officers in the Mbayimbayi area near Murchison on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast last week. Both victims later died from their injuries at Murchison Hospital. 'This act of violence highlights the urgent need for SAPS to intensify internal wellness and psychological support programmes that help members manage relational and emotional pressures,' said POPCRU spokesperson Richard Mamabolo. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Another lie? Joslin's mom has 'dream' of her location
Social media users are reacting to rumours that Kelly Smith reportedly had a 'dream' about the location of her missing child, Joslin Smith. This comes as police confirmed that they were following up on new leads in the informal settlement of Middelpos. In May, the Saldanha Bay woman and two others, Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were convicted and sentenced by Western Cape High Court judge Nathan Erasmus for kidnapping and child trafficking. Last February, the blonde-haired, green-eyed girl disappeared from her home. According to witnesses, she was allegedly sold to a sangoma for the purposes of 'muti'. On social media, South Africans have been speculating after police confirmed that they were following up on new information about the disappearance of Joslin Smith. Many referred to a rumour that the little girl's mother – Kelly Smith – had 'dreamt' that Joslin was dead. She claimed her remains were located in Middelpos, where the Smith family resided. One Facebook user posted, 'Kelly apparently had a dream that she is buried in a drain in the cemetery behind Middelpos. Kelly is playing games.' Another added: 'Kelly Smith is probably the one who helped dig the hole then. Her hands and arms were full of sand'. A third added: 'I think that Kelly has possibly given the investigating officers information regarding who exactly it was that she sold Joslin to'. Is Joslin Smith still alive? According to rumours, her mother believes she is dead and her remains are buried near her home. Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News. During an eight-week trial, witnesses relayed how Kelly Smith bragged about selling her daughter to a sangoma for R20 000. She also allegedly claimed her child had been trafficked by a Nigerian man. Kelly reportedly told her sister that Joslin could also be 'hiding' in the Middelpos informal settlement. Kelly and her co-accused refused to testify in court. In a statement, police confirmed that they were following up on new leads in the active investigation into Joslin Smith's disappearance. It read: 'SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams, and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. 'It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention'. Police appealed to the public to give them space and time to perform their duties as the investigation continues.' Meanwhile, Kelly Smith, Jacquin Appollis, and Steven van Rhyn will appeal their life sentences for kidnapping and child trafficking relating to Joslin Smith. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the trio will appear in the Western Cape High Court on 12 and 13 August. He said: 'All three have filed papers challenging both conviction and sentence. The NPA will oppose the applications, and we are confident that there are no prospects of success. State witness Lourentia Lombaard – a former accused – has yet to hear her fate from Judge Nathan Erasmus. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
