Vanderbijlpark community demands justice as missing toddler's mother faces human trafficking charges

VANDERBIJLPARK - The community of Vanderbijlpark remains shaken as the search for two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba entered its 75th day. His mother, 32-year-old Keneiwe Portia Shalaba, has been accused of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and providing false information to police. Shalaba’s bail hearing was yesterday postponed to February 3, 2025. Authorities allege that on November 10, 2024, she sold her son to unidentified individuals, later fabricating a story that he was kidnapped. Discrepancies in her story led to her arrest on November 19. Despite extensive investigations, the two-year-old Kutlwano’s whereabouts remain unknown. Local residents and advocacy groups plan a protest outside the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court, to demand that Shalaba be denied bail. Police continue to appeal to the public for leads and urged anyone with information to contact their nearest SAPS.