Police investigating the beheading of a seven-year-old KwaZulu-Natal boy believe a witchdoctor syndicate could have been involved in the crime, KwaDabeka police said on Friday.
Vuyani Ngqulunga went missing on November 1 and his body was found a day later in Clermont. His head and testicles were missing.
His head was found in possession of a two teenagers last weekend at a derelict house, about 20m from where Ngqulunga stayed.
Police spokesperson Captain Bongani Khomo said police were searching for the boy’s testicles.
”We believe the boy’s private parts were bought by an inyanga [witchdoctor] for muti purposes. We are also investigating the possibility that a witchdoctor syndicate to get body parts for muti is operating in the area,” he said.
”If we find the person who bought the testicles, he will be arrested for being in possession of human tissue,” Khomo warned.
Three people accused of being involved in the beheading appeared in the Pinetown magistrate’s court earlier this week.
Two 18-year-olds — Lizwi Gwiqisa and Bandile Msiki -‒ and a 42-year-old building contractor, Petros Gwosebenn, were charged with murder and contravening the Human Tissue Act.
Msiki is also being charged for withholding information.
It is alleged that Gwosebenn hired Msiki and Gwiqisa to kill Ngqulunga for R20 000. – Sapa