32-year-old woman in court for allegedly selling her son

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A 32-year-old woman appeared before the Vanderbijlpark magistrates’ court on Monday following the ‘disappearance’ of her two-year-old son.

Keneilwe Shalaba is facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, the charges stem from allegations that, on 10 November, the mother sold her son to unidentified individuals.

Mahanjana said on 13 November, she allegedly reported a false case to the police, claiming that her son had been kidnapped by unknown men in a vehicle.

“During the police investigation, it was uncovered that the kidnapping claim was false. The woman later confessed to fabricating the story.

“She was subsequently arrested on 19 November, and has been in custody since her arrest. The whereabouts of the child remains unknown, and police efforts to locate him are ongoing,” she explained. 

Mahanjana stated that the case has been postponed to Friday, November 29 for a possible bail application and the state intends to oppose her release on bail.

Meanwhile, drugs worth more than R1.8 million were seized as yet another drug mule was arrested by the police at the OR Tambo International Airport.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said on Sunday, members’ operationalised intelligence nabbed a 25-year-old Brazilian national for drug trafficking.

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“He was found in possession of over three kilograms of drugs wrapped around his body which was later confirmed to be cocaine with an estimated value of R1.8 million.

“The suspect had just landed from São Paulo, Brazil when he was arrested,” she added.