A heartbreaking case continues to unfold as a traditional healer from Lesotho, Sebokoana Khounyana, and a South African mother, Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba, stand accused of the brutal murder of two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba.
In court on Wednesday, Khounyana, 50, chose to abandon his bail application. He is facing charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking, and being in the country without legal documentation.
The child’s mother, 32-year-old Kuneuwe Shalaba, is also facing multiple charges including premeditated murder, human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and lying to the police.
The disturbing details of the case reveal that on November 10, 2024, the mother allegedly brought her daughter to the sangoma, asking him to end the child’s life. Reports indicate she was unhappy with having a daughter and felt she could no longer hide the child’s gender from her family. She allegedly gave the toddler poison before the pair buried the little girl in a shallow grave in the Waterpan area.
Khounyana was arrested in late May. After his arrest, he reportedly confessed to his role in the crime and took authorities to the site where the child’s body was found.
The court has postponed the case to August 6 for further investigation.