Estcourt cannibalism accused plead not guilty

Their trial got underway in the Pieteraritzburg High Court earlier today.

Nino Mbatha, Lungisani Magubane and Khayelihle Lamula were arrested last year after Mbatha allegedly walked into his local police station, complained he was tired of eating human flesh and produced human remains.

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The remains were later identified as being those of 24-year-old Zanele Hlatshwayo -- a local woman who had gone missing.

All three of the accused stand charged with one count of murder, or alternatively one count of conspiracy to commit murder.

They have all entered pleas of not guilty to both charges.

Accused number one, traditional healer, Mbatha is also charged with two counts of contravening the National Health Act, where it refers to the handling of human tissue.

Mbatha has also pleaded not guilty to both of these charges.

The accused have elected to remain silent at this stage in proceedings.

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Allegations of cannibalism rocked the small central KwaZulu-Natal town in August last year, with the case even attracting international media attention.

It emerged in court yesterday that a fourth suspect in the case had taken his own life.