A mother who poisoned her daughter (2) because she wanted a boy

Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s)

More problems for the 32 years old mother Keneilwe Shalaba as an accomplice in the murder case of her two (2) years old daughter Kutlwano Shalaba decides to confess about what really transpired in November 2024.

A charge of premeditated murder was added against the mother Keneilwe, who was previously facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police.

The matter made headlines at the time when it was alleged that on 10 November 2024, the mother of the child took the child to the sangoma and requested him to kill her child because she was not happy with the gender of the baby and was tired of hiding it from her family that in fact, the child was a girl.

She initially lied about being clueless on the child’s whereabouts claiming that she was kidnapped.

To get rid of the baby, she allegedly fed her poison and after the baby died it is alleged that the two took the child and buried her body in a shallow grave in Waterpan.

The sangoma was only arrested on 29 May 2025 following further investigations by the police, and he subsequently made a confession and pointed out to the police about where the body of the child was buried.

Incourt, the matter was postponed to 05 June 2025, for legal representation for the sangoma.

The state intends to oppose his release on bail while Keneilwe remains in police custody after being denied bail.