The heart-wrenching case of Kutlwano Shalaba’s death has taken a disturbing turn in Gauteng. New developments reveal that the mother, Keneilwe Portia Shalaba, now faces more charges related to the death of her two-year-old daughter, sparking intense public scrutiny and raising serious questions about cultural pressures and criminal justice in South Africa.
Background: The Tragic Death of Kutlwano Shalaba
Kutlwano Shalaba, a two-year-old girl, went missing last year in Gauteng. The case shocked the community when the toddler’s remains were discovered in a shallow grave in Bekkersdal. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has since intensified investigations, uncovering a disturbing narrative involving the child’s mother and a traditional healer.
Initially, Keneilwe Portia Shalaba faced charges including human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police. However, the NPA has now added a grave new charge — premeditated murder — alleging that Shalaba, dissatisfied with having a girl child, conspired with 50-year-old sangoma Sebokoana Khounyana to poison and kill Kutlwano.
Mother Faces More Charges: New Allegations and Arrests
The NPA’s investigation points to a chilling motive behind the murder. According to official statements, Keneilwe Portia Shalaba was allegedly unhappy that her child was a girl, a sentiment that unfortunately resonates with certain societal pressures experienced by many South African women. This led her to collaborate with the sangoma, who is also facing charges of premeditated murder and human trafficking.
Sebokoana Khounyana reportedly led the police to the child’s remains and was arrested following his involvement in the case. His first court appearance occurred on June 2, 2025, with proceedings delayed to June 5 to arrange legal representation.
Investigations further revealed suspicious financial activity: Shalaba received R75,000 in her bank account on the very day she reported her child missing. This raised suspicions that financial incentives were tied to the disappearance and eventual death of the child.
Societal and Cultural Pressures
The case has prompted expert commentary on the social context surrounding child gender preferences in South Africa. Criminologist Prof. Kholofelo Rakubu from Tshwane University of Technology remarked:
“In some contexts, people do not take you seriously if you do not have a boy child. It would be interpreted that you have done something wrong and that you could have done something better to produce a boy child.”
Prof. Rakubu highlights how deep-rooted gender biases and cultural expectations can have devastating consequences for families and children.
Legal and Community Response
The case has ignited calls for stricter enforcement of laws protecting children and for broader societal education to challenge harmful gender stereotypes. The NPA continues to build its case against Shalaba and Khounyana, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and the need for justice for Kutlwano.
Community leaders and child protection advocates have expressed outrage and sorrow over the tragedy. Many urge South Africans to confront the cultural myths that perpetuate such violence and advocate for stronger support systems for vulnerable children and mothers.
A Call for Justice and Cultural Change
The ongoing developments in the case of Kutlwano Shalaba’s death underline a critical intersection between crime, culture, and social values in South Africa. With the mother facing more charges, including premeditated murder, the legal system’s response will be closely watched as a measure of justice for the child and her family.
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