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The South African Police Service has confirmed the arrest of a 34-year-old man who was found in possession of human body parts following a search of his vehicle.
At around 10.50pm on Sunday evening, police received a tip-off about a man selling body parts in Margate.
The officers followed up on the information and their investigations led them to Marine Drive in Margate where the suspect was spotted seated in a vehicle. They approached the man and found him clad in a traditional outfit and requested to search the vehicle.
During the search police discovered a bucket containing a human skull, a hand, a torso and other body parts that were cut into small pieces.
The man reportedly told the police he was in possession of human body parts and claimed he used them to heal people.
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The suspect has allegedly been looking for buyers for these items and approached a number of traditional healers around the Emanguzi area in an effort to sell them.
Traditional healers reportedly became concerned when the man told them he was in possession of human body parts that were on sale for the starting price of R4,000. The healers then tipped police off.
Police do not know who the body parts belong to and have since sent them for DNA analysis to confirm if they belong to more than one person. They have also launched investigations to find out if the suspect can be linked to other crimes in the province.
The suspect will be charged for the illegal possession of human body parts and will appear in the Margate Magistrates Court. The date of his court appearance is yet to be determined.
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