Mother confessed to selling son, police closing in on probe of who paid her

Police say they are closing in on investigations into a R75 000 deposit that was made into the account of a Boipatong woman whose child is missing.

Kenoile Shalaba appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where she faces charges of trafficking, conspiracy to commit a crime, and making a false statement.

The 32-year-old was arrested in November last year for allegedly trafficking her 2-year-old son, Kutlwano.

The R75 000 deposit was made into Shalaba’s account on the same day she alleges that the kidnapping happened.

Yesterday, the investigating officer in the matter, Sergeant George Motloung, told the court the mother of three confessed to police that she lied about 2-year-old Kutlwano being kidnapped in November last year.

Instead, she says, she handed the child to a man named, Lehlohonolo, who she had allegedly planned a robbery with.

The court also heard of a botched hit, allegedly orchestrated by Shalaba, on Kutlwano’s father after he received money from a stokvel.

Sergeant Motloung alleged that Shalaba had also conspired to rob women that she travelled to Durban with last November.

Throughout the day, the investigating officer was adamant that Shalaba should not receive bail despite her being nine months pregnant and having three more children, including the missing Kutlwano.

Motloung says there are no exceptional circumstances that allow the 32-year-old mother to get bail, saying that she’s a flight risk and has not been taking care of her children.

The bail application returns to court tomorrow for closing arguments. Written by Ntsako Mkhari