Another suspect in the Estcourt cannibal case, believed to be in his 30s, was arrested in the Ntabamhlophe area in the early hours of this morning (September 28).
The seventh suspect, Sazi Ndlovu, appeared today in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court, along with the other six accused.
During August, a 32-year-old traditional healer went to the Estcourt Community Service Centre to report that he was in possession of human body parts.
He led police officials to his home in Estcourt, where more body parts were recovered. Charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of human body parts were opened and the suspect was arrested.
Click here for full story on today’s court proceedings: Seventh suspect appears alongside co-accused in cannibalism case
Investigations were conducted by police and an appeal was made to the community who have missing relatives to contact the local police.
Also read: Breaking News: DA councillors hint at possible second victim killed to feed Estcourt cannibals
DNA tests were conducted on the families that came forward and it was confirmed that the recovered body parts were those of Zanele Hlatshwayo (25). Her family was immediately informed.
Five additional suspects aged between 29 and 32 were then arrested.
The arrested suspects were remanded into custody until today, when they appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court.
The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, welcomed the arrest of the suspects. “This type of crime is not acceptable in our community and such people deserve to stay in jail for a long time. We will ensure that the culprits receive the maximum sentence for their merciless acts,” he said.
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