Remains of missing toddler Kutlwano Shalaba found in shallow grave

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.

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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.

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