Gauteng police are urgently seeking public assistance following the shocking abduction of two-year-old Kutloano Shalaba, who was kidnapped in broad daylight.
Story Summary:
- Two-year-old Kutloano Shalaba was abducted in Boipatong on Wednesday afternoon by men in a silver-grey VW Polo.
- Police have launched an urgent search and are appealing for information from the public.
- The incident raises fresh concerns amid recent child abduction cases reported in South Africa.
Kutloano Shalaba kidnapping: Here’s what we know
Kutloano was reportedly snatched by three unknown men driving a silver-grey VW Polo on Batloung Street at around 16:30 on Wednesday, 13 November 2024, in Boipatong, Sedibeng.
According to Gauteng police, the toddler’s mother, aged 32, reported that she was walking with her son when the vehicle approached them.
The suspects allegedly grabbed Kutloano from her back and sped off before she could react.
“A case of kidnapping has been opened at Boipatong Police Station, and an investigation is underway,” Gauteng police stated, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Kutloano was last seen wearing brown pants, a white top, and black takkies.
Law enforcement has deployed resources to the area, and officers are actively following leads, but thus far, details remain scarce.
Gauteng police have provided direct contacts for anyone with information, emphasising the urgency of community support.
Captain Mokgoto and Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela can be reached at 082 778 7937 and 079 695 1338, respectively, for tips on the child’s whereabouts.
The rise in child abductions across South Africa
Kutloano’s case shines a light on South Africa’s rising kidnapping rates.
According to SAPS’s 2023/2024 crime statistics, an alarming 4,300 reported kidnapping cases were reported between July and September 2023, with 293 children and 881 women murdered.
In a statement reacting to the stats, the ACDP highlighted that “South Africa has the highest kidnapping rate among African countries with approximately 9.58 kidnappings for every 100,000 people.”
These figures place South Africa at the forefront of kidnapping incidents in the region, with incidents often targeting vulnerable individuals, including children and women.
