THE head of a missing Umzinto man, Nawaaz Khan whose body was found two weeks ago, was finally recovered in a gumtree plantation in Ellingham, adjacent to the N2 on Tuesday evening, 10 November.
He had been missing since Saturday, 31 October, but had been seen in the company of a friend, who had initially led police to his headless body. It is alleged that Khan’s friend had consulted a traditional healer who requested a human head so he could help resolve his problems.
After the friend’s arrest, the traditional healer went on the run.
On Tuesday, 10 November, at about 4.30pm, investigators were informed the community of the Msholozi temporary housing settlement in Umzinto had surrounded a house that the wanted man had visited. A 31-year-old man was arrested and detained.
Investigations led detectives to the scene where the head was recovered. The head, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, had been placed in several plastic shopping bags and buried in the ground. It was taken to Park Rynie State Mortuary.
We welcome the partnership of the community, CPF and police that led to the arrests of the suspects
The man has appeared in court and is expected to make a second appearance for a bail application on Thursday, 19 November.
Khan’s head was buried on Monday, 16 November.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a third man in the Umzinto CBD on Thursday, 12 November.
The man, a security guard, led police to bushes opposite Gandhinagar, where he pointed out the headless body of a woman. When questioned about the woman’s head, he led police to another location in the vicinity where a plastic shopping bag containing decomposed, crushed bones was recovered.
The plastic bag, containing what is believed to be the remains of the victim’s head and the headless body, was taken to the Park Rynie State Mortuary. Forensic tests will be performed to determine if the bones are from the deceased woman’s head.
The man was held in police custody.
KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu has welcomed the swift arrests for Khan’s murder.
“We are disgusted and condemn the murder of Mr Khan. We, however, welcome the partnership of the community, CPF and police that led to the arrests of the suspects. This serves as a good example of what all communities can do to ensure that their places are free of crime and criminals. We appeal for the police to be given space to finalise the investigation without anyone speculating on the motive of this killing and we hope the truth shall come out in court.”
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