Keneilwe Shalaba, the 32-year-old mother accused of selling her missing two-year-old son, Kutloano Shalaba, has given birth while in custody at Sun City Correctional Centre.
Keneilwe Shalaba gives birth in prison but she lied about twins
However, despite previously claiming she was pregnant with twins, she delivered only one child.
Shalaba, who was arrested in November 2024 after falsely reporting her son’s kidnapping, had repeatedly told the court she was expecting two babies, citing her pregnancy as one of the reasons she should be granted bail.
However, medical records confirmed that she was carrying only one child, raising further doubts about her credibility in an already complex and disturbing case.
The birth took place under strict security measures, with prison officials and medical personnel ensuring the safety of both mother and child.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the gender of the baby or whether the child will remain with Shalaba or be placed under alternative care.
Her claims of expecting twins were central to her bail application, as she argued that she needed medical attention and would be unable to receive adequate care behind bars.
With this new revelation, the State has further reinforced its argument that Shalaba cannot be trusted, given the serious inconsistencies in her statements.
Meanwhile, her missing son, Kutloano, remains unaccounted for, with police still investigating the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Judgment to be handed down in her bail application
Shalaba’s bail hearing resumed this week at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court, where shocking details emerged about her alleged involvement in Kutloano’s disappearance.
The State is opposing bail, arguing that she poses a flight risk and that evidence strongly suggests she played a direct role in selling her child.
During court proceedings, Investigating Officer Sergeant Clayton Motloung testified that on the same day, Shalaba reported Kutloano missing, R75,000 was deposited into her bank account. Shalaba has refused to explain the source of the money, further fueling suspicions.
Additional details presented in court include:
- False kidnapping report: Shalaba initially claimed three unknown men in a silver-grey VW Polo snatched her child. However, police investigations proved this was a lie.
- Failed Durban robbery plot: She was allegedly in contact with a man named Lehlohonolo, who was planning a robbery in Durban.
- Ransom demand: She allegedly instructed an individual to demand R40,000 in ransom from Kutloano’s father, despite knowing her child was not kidnapped.
- Missing child’s belongings: When police searched her home, they found no clothes or items belonging to Kutloano, raising concerns about whether he was still in her care before his disappearance.
The court was expected to hand down a decision on Shalaba’s bail application tomorrow, but given her medical recovery, there is a possibility of a postponement.
Prosecutors maintain that releasing her would jeopardise the ongoing investigation, as Kutloano is still missing and her statements continue to be riddled with contradictions.
