Estcourt cannibalism: Court hears victim's murder 'a muthi killing'

This emerged in the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday, when the Estcourt cannibalism case came briefly before a judge.  

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. 

These were later identified as those of 24-year-old Hlatshwayo - a local mother who'd been reported missing.  

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The State is labelling Hlatshwayo's death a 'muthi' killing. In the indictment, it alleges that Magubane and Lamula went to see Mbatha who is a traditional healer for muthi that would bring them good luck. 

Mbatha told them the ancestors insisted that blood needed to be split.

On the State's version, Lamula found Hlatshwayo drunk and she got into his car willingly. He then went to pick up his co-accused and drove them all to a secluded spot in the area where Mbatha eventually killed Hlatshwayo. 

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