A Gauteng woman who allegedly sold off her two-year-old son to unknown buyers will spend Christmas in custody after she gave up her bail application in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Keneilwe Shalaba (32) faces charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and providing false information to the police after allegedly trading off her child Kutlwano to unknown men who then disappeared in a silver grey Polo early in November.
The incident happened around the Boipatong area in the Sedibeng District of Gauteng.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson for Gauteng Division, Lumka Mahanjana, confirmed that Shalaba abandoned bail. She said the woman was arrested after she had fabricated the abduction story but later admitted to selling the boy.
“The charges arise from allegations that the woman sold her two-year-old son to unidentified individuals on 10 November 2024. Three days later, on 13 November 2024, she reported a false case to the police, claiming her child had been kidnapped by unknown men in a vehicle,” she said.
Mahanjana said Shalaba made a brief court appearance, and the case was postponed to 27 January 2025, for further investigations.
“The accused has been remanded in custody until then,” she added.
“Investigations by law enforcement revealed inconsistencies in her account, and she later confessed to fabricating the kidnapping story. She was arrested on 19 November 2024 and has remained in custody since then. Despite extensive police efforts, the location of the two-year-old boy remains unknown. The investigation to find him and bring those involved to justice is ongoing,” Mahanjana said.
The NPA also commended the ongoing investigative work by law enforcement, adding it was committed to ensuring justice for Kutlwano and his family.
