Case against mother & sangoma accused of murdering toddler postponed to next year

The Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court has heard that there is a backlog at lab testing stations, causing a delay in the DNA results of a two-year-old murder victim. 

Mother, Keneilwe Shalaba and a sangoma, Sebokoane Khoanyana are facing charges of premeditated murder and human trafficking for the toddler. 

The State said that crucial evidence was not yet ready and the matter could not proceed.

The evidence outstanding in the matter includes forensic material and DNA results of two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba.

His body was found in Bekkersdal, west of Gauteng in May, after Khoanyana pointed out his shallow grave.

The pair appeared in court on Monday standing alongside each other in silence.

The gallery was full of gender-based violence activists and Boipatong community members who say they will be following the matter to its finality.

State prosecutor Moses Raditsela said: "The matter is on the roll today for further investigations. The investigations are still not complete. The State is requesting for further remand, your worship, for further investigations."

The court has postponed the matter to 13 January.