VANDERBIJLPARK – The mother of a missing two-year-old boy made a sad brief court appearance on Thursday, November 21 at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court.

Keneiwe Shalaba who once begged for help to locate her son, Kutloano Shalaba, now finds herself in trouble with the law as she is accused of connection with a mysterious disappearance.

The 32-year-old is facing serious charges under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act and conspiracy to commit a crime.

On November 13, Boipatong police reported that little Kutloano was snatched from his mother’s back by a trio traveling in a silver-grey VW Polo.

According to information received by law enforcers upon opening a kidnapping case, the mother claimed the vehicle sped off after the dramatic incident, leaving Keneiwe crying for help.

A massive manhunt followed, with police working tirelessly to find the child. But as days turned into a week, suspicions mounted.

This comes after the investigation took a dramatic turn when Keneiwe was arrested on Monday, leaving many wondering if the kidnapping was a case of a desperate mother or something far darker.

When the Ster Team attended the court proceedings, Keneiwe sat quietly in the dock, wearing a striped blue-and-white blouse, her face reflecting a mix of misery and exhaustion.

Declining a state legal representative, the accused mother opted to hire her private attorney.

The magistrate remanded the case to November 25, allowing the state time to verify critical information.
In the meantime, Keneiwe will remain in custody as a formal bail application looms.

Boipatong police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela confirmed that the case remains under active investigation.

While Keneiwe remains behind bars, the clock ticks on the search for little Kutloano whose whereabouts remain unknown.