Latest news with #Kutlwano
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Remains of missing toddler Kutlwano Shalaba found in shallow grave
Kutlwano Shalaba's remains were found in a shallow grave in Bekkersdal as police arrested a sangoma and his mother for murder and trafficking. The body of missing toddler Kutlwano Shalaba was found in a shallow grave six months after going missing, with his mother and a sangoma facing murder and human trafficking charges. During Child Protection Week, Gauteng police discovered the body of a child suspected to be the two-year-old who went missing in November 2024. Kutlwano was initially reported missing by his mother, Keneilwe Shalaba. The mother claimed that they were getting out of a taxi in Tshirela, near the Dr Nhlapo stop sign, in Boipatong, when three men approached them in a silver-grey VW Polo. Kutlwano Shalaba's remains found in shallow grave The police reported, at the time, that the suspect grabbed the child and sped off in a car, leaving Keneilwe devastated. However, during investigations, the police uncovered that the mother was involved in Kutlwano's disappearance. Police arrested Keneilwe and the Vanderbiljpark Magistrate's Court denied her bail in April, keeping her behind bars. During her bail hearing, prosecutors revealed that Keneilwe allegedly received, R750 000 into her account on the same day she reported Kutlwano missing. ALSO READ: Gauteng toddler snatched from mother as they climb off taxi The Sedibeng Ster reported that investigators believe she may have sold her son and reported the kidnapping as a cover-up, with further evidence suggesting she tried to orchestrate a ransom demand. Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said on Friday that a second suspect, a man believed to be a sangoma, was arrested on Thursday in connection with the toddler's disappearance. During preliminary investigations, he guided the police to a shallow grave at Waterpan Road near R28 in Bekkersdal, where they discovered the remains of a toddler. Sangoma arrested on Thursday 'The remains are suspected to be of Kutlwano, but a DNA analysis will be performed to determine the identity of the corpse,' Sibeko said. The mother and the Sangoma will appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Monday, 2 June 2025, to answer to charges of murder and human trafficking. Missing Children South Africa reports that a child goes missing every five hours in South Africa. NOW READ: Joshlin joins long list of missing girls in South Africa
SowetanLIVE
3 days ago
- SowetanLIVE
Police find missing toddler Kutlwano Shalaba's body after sangoma tells all
The body of two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba, who went missing in November last year, has been recovered. A police source confirmed to Sowetan that the child's body was found in a shallow grave at an abandoned mine near Randfontein, west of Joburg. The source said a 50-year-old sangoma who operated at the Vereeniging taxi rank has been arrested. 'The traditional healer took officers to where the body was. A postmortem will be conducted at the Carletonville mortuary, but we believe the child died on November 10,' said the source. Kutlwano, from Boipatong in the Vaal, was reported missing on November 13. His mother, Keneilwe Shalaba, had reported that Kutlwano was snatched from her by unknown men in a silver-grey vehicle. However, she was later arrested and charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit an offence and making a false statement to the police. The state alleged that Shalaba sold baby Kutlwano for R75,000, an amount she admitted receiving on the same day her son went missing, though she could not say where it came from. Shalaba previously alleged she went to Durban with Kutlwano on November 10 to buy clothes to sell. But police Sgt George Motloung, who testified during her bail application in February, said the child never made it to Durban, adding that he had obtained statements and affidavits from a group of women Shalaba travelled with to KwaZulu-Natal. He was told that Shalaba had asked those she travelled with to lie, if questioned by police, and say she was with Kutlwano in Durban. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the police made the gruesome discovery in Waterpan Road, near the R28 in Bekkersdal. 'The remains are suspected to be of Kutlwano but a DNA analysis will be performed to determine the identity of the corpse,' she said. Sibeko said Shalaba and the traditional healer will appear before the Vanderbiljpark magistrate's court on Monday June 2 to face charges of murder and human trafficking. SowetanLIVE
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Sangoma arrested after remains of Boipatong toddler reportedly found
Almost six months since the disappearance of Kutlwano Shalaba, the toddler's remains have been discovered. Sedibeng Ster reports that, according to sources close to the investigation, the gruesome discovery was made last night in Poortjie, just outside Sebokeng. While police have not issued a formal response, sources say details of how the body was located remain tightly under wraps. Kutlwano went missing in November last year when he was allegedly snatched from his mother's back by a group of men reported to be travelling in a grey VW Polo. Kutlwano's ordeal sparked public outcry in Boipatong and countless social media pleas to help locate the missing baby. While many sympathised with the mother following the news, hope turned into horror when she was arrested and charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police. The scandal deepened when investigators uncovered damning evidence showing that R75 000 was deposited into the mother's bank account on the day her son vanished. The money was believed to be linked to the illegal sale of the toddler. Now, in a shocking twist, a sangoma has been arrested in connection with the case. Sources claim the sangoma may have played a sinister role in the child's disappearance, though authorities are still piecing together the puzzle. Keneilwe Shalaba, the mother, remains behind bars after her bail application was denied in April. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Search for missing toddler concludes in tragedy
VANDERBIJLPARK – Almost six months since the disappearance of Kutlwano Shalaba, the toddler's remains have been discovered. According to sources close to the investigation, the gruesome discovery was made last night in Poortjie, just outside Sebokeng. While police haven't issued a formal response on the matter, sources say details of how the body was located remain tightly under wraps. Kutlwano went missing in November last year when he was allegedly snatched from the back of his mother by a group of men who were reported to be travelling in a grey VW Polo. Kutlwano's ordeal sparked public outcry in Boipatong, and countless social media pleas to help locate the missing baby. While many sympathised with the mother following the news, hope turned into horror when she was arrested and charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police. The scandal deepened when investigators uncovered damning evidence revealing that R75 000 was deposited into the mother's bank account on the very day her son vanished. The money was believed to be linked to the illegal sale of the toddler. Now, in a shocking twist, a sangoma has been arrested in connection with the case. Sources claim the sangoma may have played a sinister role in the child's disappearance, though authorities are still piecing together the puzzle. Keneilwe Shalaba (the mother) remains behind bars after her bail application was denied in April. This is a developing story. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Toddler Kutlwano, who went missing last year, has been found dead
Kutlwanom from Boipatong in the Vaalm was reported missing on November 13. His mother Keneiwe Shalaba reported he was snatched from her by unknown men in a silver-grey vehicle. However, she was later arrested and charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit an offence and making a false statement to police. The state alleged Shalaba sold Kutlwano for R75,000, an amount she admitted she received on the same day her son went missing but could not say where it came from. Shalaba had previously alleged she went to Durban with Kutlwano on November 10 to buy clothes to sell. However, Sgt George Motloung, who testified during her bail application in February, said the child never made it to Durban, adding he obtained statements and affidavits from a group of women Shalaba travelled with to KwaZulu-Natal. He was told Shalaba had asked those she travelled with to lie, if questioned by police, and say she was with Kutlwano in Durban.
