A sangoma has told a court he plans to plead guilty to the murder of two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba, whose skeletal remains were found in a shallow grave after months of being reported missing.
Sangoma and mom appear in court for Kutlwano Shalaba murder
The matter was heard in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, where the accused, 50-year-old Sebokoana Khoanyana, made his first appearance alongside the child’s mother, 33-year-old Keneilwe Shalaba.
When asked about legal representation, Khoanyana told the court: “I intend to plead guilty,” and asked if a lawyer was available.
However, as reported by SowetanLive, the court explained that this was not the correct stage of the legal process to submit a plea.
Kutlwano had been missing since November 2024. His mother originally reported that he was kidnapped by unknown men while she was walking with him on her back in Boipatong, near Vereeniging. That report turned out to be false.
Khoanyana was arrested on Thursday, shortly before he led police to the child’s remains, buried along Waterpan Road in Bekkersdal. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed that Khoanyana made a confession during police questioning.
“The accused made admissions about his role in the child’s disappearance. While early investigations suggested that the child might have been sold, new information points to something more sinister,” said Mahanjana.
Keneilwe Shalaba, already denied bail earlier this year, is now also facing a murder charge. In addition to this, she is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and lying to the police.
According to Sergeant Clayton Motloung, who is investigating the case, R75,000 was deposited into Shalaba’s bank account on the day she claimed her son was kidnapped. She has not explained the source of the money.
Shalaba previously claimed during a bail hearing that she was pregnant with twins. She later gave birth to only one child, which the court saw as another attempt to mislead.
This case has caused public outcry and drawn comparisons to the case of Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old girl allegedly sold by her mother in a separate incident also linked to sangoma practices.
In Joshlin’s case, although her body was never found, her mother and two others were sentenced to life in prison.
The NPA confirmed that further investigations are ongoing to determine whether other individuals were involved in Kutlwano’s death or if Khoanyana acted alone.
Authorities are also examining any potential links to broader child trafficking or ritual-related crimes.
Shalaba and Khoanyana are expected to return to court on Thursday.