VANDERBIJLPARK – The Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court has witnessed flipflopping
in the Kutlwano Shalaba case.
This comes after a 50-year-old sangoma decided to apply for bail after appointing a legal
representative.
On his first appearance, Sebokoane Khanyane stunned the packed courtroom when he told
the magistrate, “I’m guilty.”
The court dismissed his admission, as it was not the time to address a plea.
Khanyane is charged with human trafficking and premeditated murder.
On June 5, the court heard that Lawyer Gladmore Nyamande was appointed to represent Khanyane.
During the brief appearance, Nyamande informed the magistrate that his client was applying for bail after he had briefed him on his rights to apply.
“On his first appearance, he wasn’t aware of what he needed to do and didn’t understand the
legal implications. On that day, he thought maybe by appearing and admitting to be guilty, the whole matter would be finished,” Nyamande explained.
“According to his rights, the first thing he has to do is to apply for bail. This matter is not a
magistrate court matter, it needs to go further to a higher court,” Nyamande added.
Nyamande told the court that his client has two previous convictions.
“My client has a previous conviction. One is from 2019, which was for assault, and his not
sure if it was withdrawn.
He also has another conviction for possession of dagga, not sure about the year, however, it was suspended,” he said.
Khanyane was arrested on May 29 during preliminary investigations in connection with
the disappearance of Kutlwano.
This is after he led the police to a shallow grave at Waterpan Road in Bekkersdal, where the remains of a toddler were discovered.
Kutlwano went missing late last year in November when he was allegedly snatched from the
back of his mother by a group of men who were reported to be travelling in a grey VW Polo.
The scandal deepened when investigators uncovered damning evidence revealing that R75 000 was allegedly deposited into Keneilwe’s bank account on the very day her son vanished.
The money was believed to be linked to the illegal sale of the toddler.
The matter is expected back in court on June 25 for a formal bail application. Both Keneilwe and Khanyane remain behind bars.
