Mhlongo's statement comes in the wake of two recent murders in which body parts were removed from the victims, apparently for muthi purposes. She was raped and beaten on the head with an iron, before part of her ear was cut off and her genitals mutilated.
Police believe the motive for the killing was muthi-related.
Mhlongo said they are working with the police to ensure that the culprits are brought to book. As far as I am concerned, such practices have nothing to do with indigenous healing but are the works of witchcraft. The minister is understood to be planning a meeting soon with amakhosi in rural communities with a view to exposing sangomas and inyangas who are involved in such practices. Ngubane recently held a meeting with Provincial Police Commissioner Moses Khanyile where a special investigating team was set up to probe muthi-related killings. Muthi is a potion made from herbs which is used for healing purposes and believed to have supernatural powers.