Ritual murder suspected as two nabbed with head wrapped in newspapers

11 July 2016 - 12:37 By Zoe Mahopo

A woman's head wrapped in newspaper was discovered by police in Limpopo on Sunday afternoon. According to provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Ronel Otto‚ two men travelling in a white bakkie were apprehended by police near the taxi rank on Market Street in the Polokwane CBD.Otto said police officers were following up on a tip-off about people selling human body parts.“After searching the vehicle‚ they found the head of the woman wrapped in newspapers. The identity of the woman is still not yet known‚” Otto said‚ adding that nor was it known where and how she was killed.She said the two suspects‚ apparently from Mapela outside Mokopane‚ were arrested and taken in for further questioning.Otto said the suspects would appear before the Polokwane Magistrates Court some time this week‚ pending further investigations.She said ritual murder was part of the investigation‚ adding that they had received fewer reports of such cases in the province within the past year.Historically‚ Limpopo has experienced a high number of incidents related to ritual murders and witchcraft.In 2014‚ Sowetan reported that provincial police dispatched a special task team to the Vhembe and Mopani districts‚ which were considered hotspots for ritual murders and witchcraft-related violence. ..

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