'Cannibal uncle' shocks family
2005-07-28 09:42
Durban - A man accused of murdering - and eating - his niece, and attempting to kill three young nephews, has been sent for mental assessment by a doctor.
The 27-year-old man from Cingweni in the kwaMaci area near Harding made a brief first appearance in the Harding magistrate's court on Wednesday.
Magistrate Jacobus Nieuwoudt ruled that the case would not proceed until the accused's state of mind has been determined.
The accused, who seemed to be very lost in the small court, was read his rights and Nieuwoudt asked him if he knew why he was there. He said he did.
He cut a forlorn figure in the accused box and his face showed fresh lacerations and bruises.
Roasting human flesh
The man is alleged to have hacked his three-year-old niece, Vuyokazi Mbewani, with an axe in the early hours of last Friday morning, and attempted to kill three nephews aged nine, 10 and 13.
Vuyokazi's grandmother, Ntombizonke Sigwebela, told The Witness the boys only told them what had happened several hours later, because they first ran away and hid.
"We found the child in pieces stacked into a sack and a chunk of her flesh was still roasting on fire sprinkled with some salt. That was the most horrifying thing I've ever seen in my life," said Sigwebela.
He said they also discovered a huge axe with which a big gash was opened on Vuyokazi's head and her body chopped up.
The family said as far as they know, the accused is not mentally disturbed, but he likes to smoke dagga and drink alcohol.
They said the evening after the incident the accused showed no remorse and was actually taking little notice of what was going on before disappearing. He was arrested by police a day later.
Debate over bail
Public prosecutor Sanele Mcanyana told Nieuwoudt the State would not agree to bail.
Nieuwoudt insisted the accused be sent to a district surgeon to be assessed and a legal representative be found before a decision on bail was taken.
Mcanyana and Nieuwoudt eventually agreed that the accused will appear again on Thursday and the doctor's findings will determine the fate of the case.
Grandmother Ntombizonke Sigwebela showed a reporter the way to the rondavel where the child was allegedly killed and eaten. The accused slept there with Vuyokazi and the three boys.
The heath where Sigwebela says she found a piece of Vuyokazi's flesh roasting is scattered with cold ashes.
The family is full of praise for the nine-year-old boy, who wrestled with the accused, allowing the others to escape after the killing.
Sigwebela said the accused, who came for a visit this month, disappeared for two weeks before resurfacing. He stayed in the hut where the children slept. The family talks fondly of Vuyokazi who loved to chase ducks in the yard.