Three people have been arrested after a seven-year KwaZulu-Natal boy was beheaded for R20 000 in what is believed to be a muti (traditional medicine) transaction, KwaDabeka police said on Monday.
Police spokesperson Captain Bongani Khomo said the incident has left police officers and the Clermont community — outside Pinetown — in shock.
”We have established that suspect one and two were hired by a third man to kill the boy for R20 000,” he said.
”The first two suspects were living at a deserted home in Clermont and on Saturday police found the head in their possession at the home — which is situated next to St John’s church,” said Khomo.
He said the home, north west of Durban, was previously owned by former Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mhlahlo Mlotshwa.
He has since died and two of the suspects had been occupying a room in the home, which was thought to be deserted, said Khomo.
The boy — whose identity could not yet be released by police — went missing on November 1.
His body was found a day later in Clermont. The details of the discovery was not released to the media at the time.
His head was missing and could not be found at the scene.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said police were acting on information when they arrested the three.
Mngomezulu said the genitals were also missing from the body.
Khomo said after the boy was killed, the man who hired the killers had apparently not paid them the money.
”We believe the child’s head was intended to be used for muti,” said Khomo.
The men are expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of murder and contravening the Human Tissues Act.
One of the suspects also faces an additional charge of withholding information, police said. – Sapa