Latest news with #Shalaba
The Star
2 days ago
- 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.''
IOL News
2 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Nation in shock as a mother sells her own child
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 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. The Breakdown of Humanity 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. 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ A Nation Under Psychological and Spiritual Siege 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. Community Outrage and National Shame 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 murder of Kutlwano Shalaba is more than a criminal act — it is a mirror reflecting the spiritual and psychological battles raging within society.''
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Fears toddler killed in chilling copycat crime of girl sold for 'eyes and skin'
The harrowing case of Kutlawano Shalaba has drawn comparisons to that of Racquel "Kelly" Smith, who was jailed last week for selling her daughter to a "healer" for just £800 A mother has appeared in court along with a "witch doctor" over the brutal murder of her two-year-old daughter, who is feared to have been sold and killed for her body parts. The haunting revelations brought shock back to South Africans that it could be a copycat case of evil mum Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, 35, who was jailed for life last week after selling her daughter for just £800. Schoolgirl Joshlin, 6, who vanished in February last year was never seen again after being sold - however in this latest case, a body was recovered and an alleged accomplice to the killing arrested. The details emerging from the latest case are renewing fears that up to a third of the more than 1000 children murdered each year in South Africa may be being targeted for body parts such as their skin and eyes. Police had been searching for six months for the missing 'son' of mum Kuneuwe Shalaba, 33, after she said 'he' was snatched from her by three kidnappers who sped off in a VW Golf near Johannesburg. But cops investigating her claim that toddler 'son' Kutlawano was grabbed in the street discovered that, just two hours before she reported the abduction, a large sum of money had appeared in her bank account. Mother-of-five Shalaba - who was struggling to make ends meet and feed her kids – received a year's money of R75000 from a mystery man, which she could not explain when detectives confronted her. Magistrates heard that she then not only confessed that she made up the kidnap story but had in fact led the police to believe they were trying to find her 'son' when the missing toddler was in fact a girl. Shalaba of Boipatong township 40 miles south of Johannesburg in Gauteng Province had her phone calls analysed, which led police to a sangoma or 'witch doctor' working out of a nearby taxi rank. National Police Authority spokesman Lumka Mahanjana said that when arrested, the sangoma confessed his part in the disappearance of the girl and led officers to an abandoned mine. Scenes of crime officers with shovels quickly discovered human remains which are currently undergoing a post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death - and if any of the victim's body parts had been harvested. So called muti killings – the taking of body parts from murdered children by a small percentage of sangoma's to make 'black magic' potions for the rich – claim 50 to 300 victims every year in South Africa. Shalaba – who had been charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to police – was charged with premeditated murder when the body was discovered. NPA spokeswoman Miss Mahanjana confirmed that the sangoma named as Sebokoana Khounyana, 50, had also been charged with premeditated murder and human trafficking along with the girl's mother. The prosecution believes Kutlwano – who was dressed as a boy and introduced to family and friends as a boy – was murdered on November 10 and that the mother reported him kidnapped on November 13. She was arrested on November 19 at home in Boipatong 40 miles south of Johannesburg and her daughter's body was found on May 29 buried in a shallow grave in the nearby town of Randfontein. NPA spokesman Miss Mahanjana confirmed a post-mortem was underway to ascertain 'exactly what was done to the child' before death and whether any body parts were harvested from it. The shocking sale of little Kutlwano appears to be a chilling copycat case of that of an evil mother who was jailed for life last week for selling her six-year-old daughter for just £800. Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, 35, was said to have been sought out by a traditional healer who wanted her daughter Joshlin for her 'light eyes and skin' - the girl 'vanished' from her township and was never seen again. Last Thursday the mother-of-three was sentenced to life behind bars by Judge Nathan Erasmus for human trafficking by selling her daughter Joshlin and for kidnapping her given an additional 10 years. Her boyfriend Jacquen Apollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were also given life sentences for their part in the shocking kidnap and sale of tragic Joshlin at Saldanha Bay 80 miles north of Cape Town. The fun loving schoolgirl was last seen outside her home last February and the 8 week trial at the community centre in Saldanha Bay heard she was almost certainly sold into 'exploitation and slavery'. The South African Police insisted that the search for her will continue 'night and day' until she is found and have begged her mother to reveal what happened to Joshlin but she refused to co-operate. The court heard drug user Kelly had told friends and a local pastor she had sold Joshlin for R20,000 (£835) in February last year to a sangoma and was later charged by police over her disappearance. The case rocked South Africa and highlighted the hundreds of cases throughout Africa of 'healers' – known as sangomas or 'witch doctors' – who take children to use body parts to make 'miracle potions'. So far in neither the Joshlin or Kutlawano cases this fate is strongly feared but has not yet been proved. Huge superstition still holds sway over large parts of the African population who highly respect and fear the sangomas and pay them large amounts of money for their so called 'black magic' potions. Between April 2024 and March 2025 South African Police figures revealed some 1100 children were murdered but as there is no specific category for muti killings it is estimated at between 50 and 300 a year. Both accused killers Shalaba and Khounyana will appear before the same magistrate on June 5.
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The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Mother and Sangoma face murder rap [video]
A sangoma and the mother of a two-year-old girl face charges of premeditated murder after the child was poisoned and buried in a shallow grave. 'Sangoma' Sebokoana Khounyana (50), a Lesotho national, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court on Monday, 2 June 2025. He is charged with murder and human trafficking. According to the NPA, the child's mother, Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba (32), was already facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and lying to police. The State has now added a murder charge. Read the full version of the ' 2-Year-old killed and buried: mother and sangoma charged' article. Police say Shalaba took her daughter, Kutlwano Shalaba, to Khounyana on 10 November 2024. She allegedly told him she didn't want the child because she was a girl and claimed she had been hiding the truth from her family. Shalaba allegedly fed the child poison. After the baby died, the pair buried her near Waterpan, Gauteng. Police arrested Khounyana on 29 May 2025. He allegedly confessed and led officers to the gravesite. Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
2-Year-old killed and buried: mother and sangoma charged
A sangoma and the mother of a two-year-old girl face charges of premeditated murder after the child was poisoned and buried in a shallow grave. Sebokoana Khounyana (50), a Lesotho national, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court on Monday, 2 June 2025. He is charged with murder and human trafficking. According to the NPA, the child's mother, Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba (32), was already facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and lying to police. The State has now added a murder charge. Police say Shalaba took her daughter, Kutlwano Shalaba, to Khounyana on 10 November 2024. She allegedly told him she didn't want the child because she was a girl and claimed she had been hiding the truth from her family. Shalaba allegedly fed the child poison. After the baby died, the pair buried her near Waterpan, Gauteng. Police arrested Khounyana on 29 May 2025. He allegedly confessed and led officers to the gravesite. The court postponed the case to 5 June 2025. The State will oppose bail. Police arrested a 52-year-old man for allegedly shooting and killing his 18-year-old stepson, Leewin Solomon, during a domestic altercation in Rosedale, Kariega, on Sunday night, 25 May 2025. The shooting happened at around 21:28 at a house in Parkiet Street. According to police, Solomon stabbed his stepfather in the shoulder during an argument. The man then drew a firearm and shot the teenager. Paramedics transported Solomon to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police recovered a 9mm Glock pistol at the scene and sent it for ballistic testing. They charged the stepfather with murder. 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.
