Update

NATIONAL NEWS - The mother of a missing two-year-old boy is expected to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, according to Sedibeng Ster.

Keneilwe Shalaba, who once begged for help to locate her son, Kutloano, now finds herself in trouble with the law, accused of being connected to his mysterious disappearance.

The 32-year-old faces charges under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act and conspiracy to commit a crime. She made a brief court appearance on Thursday and the case was postponed.

On 13 November, Boipatong police reported that little Kutloano was snatched from his mother’s back by a trio travelling in a silver-grey VW Polo.

According to information received by law enforcement upon opening a kidnapping case, Keneilwe claimed the vehicle sped off after the dramatic incident, leaving her crying for help.

A massive manhunt followed, with police working tirelessly to find the child. However, as days turned into a week, suspicions mounted.

The investigation took a dramatic turn when the child’s mother was arrested on Monday, leaving many wondering if the kidnapping was the act of a desperate mother or something far darker.

When the Sedibeng Ster team attended the court proceedings, she sat quietly in the dock, wearing a striped blue-and-white blouse, her face reflecting a mix of misery and exhaustion.

Declining a state legal representative, the accused mother opted to hire a private attorney.

The magistrate remanded the case to today to allow the state time to verify critical information. In the meantime, she will remain in custody as a formal bail application looms.

Boipatong police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela confirmed the case remains under active investigation.

While his mother remains behind bars, the clock ticks on the search for little Kutloano, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Read original story on www.citizen.co.za

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