A mom from Boipatong, southwest of Johannesburg, made her first court appearance in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate Court on 25 November 2024. According to numerous reports, the 32-year-old is accused of selling her baby after telling police that he was kidnapped.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) on 13 November 2024 requested assistance in finding two-year-old Kutloano Shabalala after he was reported missing. They said in their statement that the toddler was wearing a white top, brown pants and black takkies when he went missing.
MOM ACCUSED OF SELLING BABY AFTER CLAIMING HE WAS KIDNAPPED
Algoa FM reports that the mom initially told police that her child was kidnapped. This was after he was snatched from her back while she was walking home. She further detailed to authorities that the boy was taken by three men who were driving a silver-grey VW Polo.
The woman remains in custody after she was arrested on 19 November 2024, reported SABC News. She is facing charges of human trafficking, making a false statement to the police and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Regarding the charges, Lumka Mahanjana, Gauteng spokesperson for National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said: “The charges stem from allegations that, on 10 November, the mother sold her two-year-old son to unidentified individuals. 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.”
BABY’S MOM CONFESSED TO POLICE
IOL reported that Mahanjana told them that the mom confessed to lying about the kidnapping. Mahanjana expressed: “The woman later confessed to fabricating the story. She was subsequently arrested on 19 November and has been in custody since her arrest.”
SURPRISING REVELATIONS IN COURT
During her appearance in court, it was revealed that she was allegedly pregnant, as reported by Sedibeng Ster on 26 November 2024. The mom’s lawyer told the court that she was feeling unwell and said she was seven months pregnant. The case was postponed to 29 November 2024 for a formal bail hearing.
THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE BABY STILL UNKNOWN
The whereabouts of baby Kutloano are still unknown. Police have called for help from the public in locating the missing child, urging anyone with information to come forward. They can contact the Branch commander, Captain Mokgoto on 082 778 7937 or Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela on 079 695 1338. Alternatively, members of the public can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information on the MySAPS App.
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