Lesotho Sangoma Suspected of Helping Mother Kill 2-Year-Old Daughter, Opts to Waive Bail

Vanderbijlpark – Sebokoana Khounyana, a fifty-year-old sangoma, has decided to withdraw his bail application related to the passing of one-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba.

The sangoma, who hails from Lesotho, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on various charges including premeditated murder, human trafficking, and immigration offenses due to allegedly being in the country unlawfully.

He was expected to apply for bail.

However, the Mosotho informed the court of his choice to forgo the bail application.

Allegations suggest that on 10 November 2024, the child’s mother, 32-year-old Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba, purportedly asked the sangoma to end her baby daughter’s life.

It is claimed that the mother had been passing off her child as a boy since birth and had grown tired of hiding the fact that her baby was actually a girl.

Shalaba is alleged to have poisoned her infant.

After the child’s demise, it is reported that, with the sangoma’s help, they buried her body in a shallow grave in Waterpan.

Police investigations led to the arrest of the Mosotho sangoma on 29 May 2025.

Khounyana confessed his involvement in the child’s murder and subsequently directed the police to the burial site.

Shalaba was also arrested and is currently in custody.

As per Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng, Khounyana’s case was postponed to 6 August 2025 for further investigations following a brief court hearing.

The court had previously denied bail for the mother.

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