A Heartbreaking Tale: Mother Accused of Selling Daughter for 3600 Euros
Child allegedly offered for magic concoction: Mother admits to barbaric bargain
South Africa - A shocking murder trial unfolds: A mother (33) and a shaman (50) find themselves in the hot seat for allegedly taking a two-year-old life.
Originally slated for Monday, the trial has been pushed back to Thursday.
By Isabel Klemt
According to Scrolla Africa, the mother, Kuneuwe Shalaba, reportedly sold her own child due to financial woes, with the intention of using the approximately 3600 euros for her other children's sustenance.
The mother initially claimed her daughter had been abducted by three unidentified individuals on November 13, 2024. However, suspicions arose when investigators discovered a significantly large sum of money deposited into her account.
Unearthing the Truth: Faced with evidence, the mother confessed that she had taken the little girl to the shaman Sebokoana Khounyana (50) on November 10, 2024, with the intention of having the child killed due to her dissatisfaction with the child's gender.
Tragic Fate: The Body Found
The remains of the two-year-old were finally discovered on May 29, 2025. Although the autopsy is still ongoing, the exact cause of death remains unclear.
Authorities suspect that the child may have been a victim of organ trafficking for ritual purposes. Reports suggest that up to a third of the over 1000 children murdered in South Africa each year could be linked to such cruel practices.
The Harrowing Reality: In certain circles, people believe in the power of "magic potions" made from children's body parts, which they claim can bring wealth, love, and healing - a vile business entwined with death.
Another Chilling Case: A Six-year-old Sold by her Mother
This case bears striking resemblance to another tragic crime that recently made headlines in Africa: On May 29, Racquel Kelly Smith (35) was sentenced to life in prison.
She sold her six-year-old daughter, "Joshlin," for just 950 euros. The little girl disappeared without a trace in February 2024 - her whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
The Silent Mother: To this day, the mother, Racquel Kelly Smith, remains silent about her daughter's fate.
Featured image: Image montage: Facebook/Screenshot/Thembi Dzana, Screenshot/X/tndaba
More on murder:
- The Harrowing Reality: Organ Trafficking for Ritual Purposes?
- Mystery in the wilderness: Teenage couple found shot dead
- Man killed in Sonneberg: Homicide investigation underway
Enrichment Data:
Overall:The query refers to a case involving the murder of a two-year-old child in South Africa, but the specific details provided in the search results relate to a two-year-old boy named Kutlwano Shalaba. There is no mention of organ trafficking for ritual purposes in the provided information. Here is what is known about the case:
Kutlwano Shalaba Case
- Accusations: The mother, Kenielwe Shalaba, is accused of selling her child for R75,000 and faces charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
- Co-accused: A sangoma, Sebokoane Khoayana, is also involved in the case and has been charged with similar offenses.
- Investigation: The child’s body was recovered, and both the mother and the sangoma are implicated in the murder.
In the realm of South African news, the Kutlwano Shalaba case, a shocking instance of politics intermingling with crime-and-justice, unfolds as the mother and a shaman stand accused of premeditated murder and human trafficking. The accused, Kuneuwe Shalaba and Sebokoana Khounyana, are reported to have sold Kutlwano for approximately 3600 euros, a desperate act driven by financial hardship. This grim event is reminiscent of another general-news case, involving Racquel Kelly Smith, who sold her six-year-old daughter and was sentenced to life in prison.
