Woman arrested for allegedly selling 2-year-old son

A 32-year-old South African woman, Keneiwe Portia Shabala, has been arrested for allegedly selling her two-year-old son, Kutlwano.

Shabala appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court, Gauteng, on Monday, November 25, 2024, facing serious charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Shabala allegedly sold her son to unidentified individuals on November 10, 2024.

Three days later, on November 13, she reportedly filed a false police report claiming that her child had been abducted by unknown men in a vehicle.

However, investigations quickly revealed discrepancies in her story, and it was discovered that her kidnapping claim was fabricated.

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In the course of the investigation, Shabala confessed to making up the abduction story. She was arrested on November 19, 2024, and has been in police custody since then.

The police have since launched a search for the child, but his whereabouts remain unknown, with authorities intensifying their efforts to locate him.

The court case has been adjourned until November 29, 2024, when a possible bail application will be heard.

The State has indicated its intention to oppose her release on bail, citing the severity of the charges and the ongoing investigation into the child’s disappearance.

The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern over the safety of children in South Africa, with many questioning how a mother could be involved in such a crime.

The authorities are under pressure to locate Kutlwano and ensure justice is served in this disturbing case.