Sangoma Appears in Court for Premeditated Murder
By Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division
A Lesotho National Sangoma, Sebokoana Khounyana (50), appeared at the
Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on charges of premeditated murder and Human trafficking of a 02-year-old baby Kutlwano Shalaba.
A charge of premeditated murder was added against the mother Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba (32), who was previously facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police.
It is 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.
The mother then allegedly fed the baby 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.
After investigations by the police, the sangoma was arrested on 29 May 2025 and he subsequently made a confession and pointed out to the police about where the body of the child was buried.
In court, the matter was postponed to 05 June 2025, for legal representation for the sangoma.
The state intends to oppose his release on bail.
The court previously denied the mother’s release on bail.
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