The body of two-year-old Kutloano Shalaba, who had been missing since November 2024, has been found.
Kutloano Shalaba’s body found and sangoma arrested
Police confirmed the discovery and have arrested a sangoma—a traditional healer—who is believed to be connected to the child’s disappearance and suspected murder.
Kutloano’s case has horrified communities across South Africa. He was last seen in November, and his mother, 32-year-old Keneilwe Shalaba, was arrested shortly after for allegedly selling him for R75,000.
Authorities now believe this sale was to the arrested sangoma.
National broadcaster eNCA reported that Kutloano’s body was found with the help of police investigations, which had been ongoing for months.
His mother, who is currently in custody at Sun City Correctional Centre, had originally claimed that her son was kidnapped by unknown men in a silver-grey VW Polo.
That report was later proven false.
A web of lies unravelled
Keneilwe’s credibility had already come under serious scrutiny.
During her bail hearing earlier this year, she claimed she was pregnant with twins. However, she gave birth to only one child while in custody. The court found that this was another lie intended to support her bail application.
Investigating Officer Sergeant Clayton Motloung testified that R75,000 had been deposited into her bank account on the same day she reported her son missing. Shalaba has refused to explain the source of the money.
The arrest of the sangoma has now added a new twist to the case. Police are still investigating whether this person is connected to other similar cases.
This case echoes another high-profile child trafficking case: that of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. In that matter, Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, along with Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were recently sentenced to life in prison for trafficking her for R20,000.
While Joshlin’s body has never been found, her disappearance also involved rumours of a sangoma connection.
Witnesses in the Joshlin case mentioned that she was possibly handed over to a sangoma called Makalima, also known as Phumza Sigaqa. Charges against Makalima were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence, but speculation continues due to the disturbing similarities between the two cases.
What is a sangoma?
A sangoma is a traditional healer in South African communities. They are often consulted for spiritual guidance and healing.
However, there have been growing concerns about certain individuals using this role for criminal activities, particularly in cases where missing children are involved.
Authorities stress that not all sangomas are criminals, but in these rare and tragic cases, some have used their position to exploit vulnerable families.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine if the sangoma arrested in Kutloano’s case acted alone or was part of a larger network. They are also examining if this case connects to the broader pattern of child trafficking and ritualistic practices.
