In the small village of Shamoya, in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41072524">a decapitated body led to the blood-curdling discovery of a cannibalism cult</a>. Zanele Hlatshwayo, 25, had been missing since July. Her family now believe she was a victim of the cannibal cult. Five men have been arrested currently after a witch doctor turned himself in to police confessing that he was tired of eating human flesh. The police initially ignored his plea to be arrested until he brought in a bloody hand and foot as proof.
Police found eight human ears in a cooking pot that were served to his followers who believed eating the human remains could lead to magical powers, money and protection. More body parts were found stuffed in a suitcase as well as ripped and blood-stained clothing that belonged to Ms. Hlatshwayo. The clothes have been identified by family members, but police are awaiting DNA test results before confirming that the body parts were indeed that of the missing woman. Ms. Hlatshwayo, mother of a newborn, is believed to have been raped before she was killed.
<a href="http://www.nixusblog.com/2017/08/29/young-mum-rapedkilled-and-eaten-by-cannibal-ring-in-south-africa/">Family members spoke to reporters</a>:
<quote>“We can only imagine how she begged for her life, she died an extremely painful death.
“Her clothes were covered in grass and dust, which is a clear indication that she had been in a struggle to save her life.”</quote>
The situation of a cannibal cultist turning themselves in isn't exactly new. This situation is quite reminiscent of that of Stanley Dean Baker. Stanley Dean Baker, a "hippie satanist" with connections to the Process Church and 4Pi Cult. July 13, 1970 Stanley Dean Baker turned himself into authorities near Big Sur California (home of serial killer and cult activity and the famous New Age sanctuary of Esalen). Baker admitted to being a member of a "blood drinking cult" currently based out of Wyoming.
The 4Pi cult (alleged to be connected to the Process Church) was supposedly led by a figure known as The Grand Chingon who may have connections to Son of Sam, Charles Manson and other occult obsessed serial killers.
<a href="http://murderpedia.org/male.B/b/baker-stanley-dean.htm">According to Murderpedia</a>:
<blockquote>"I have a problem. I'm a cannibal."
To prove the point, Stan Baker turned his pockets out and palmed a human finger bone – removed, he said, from his most recent victim in Montana. Baker's sidekick, Harry Allen Stroup, was also carrying a bony digit, and the pair were taken into custody on suspicion of homicide. Investigators in Montana found the mutilated remains of victim James Schlosser in the Yellowstone River, his heart and several fingers missing from the scene.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Im tired of eating human flesh" <a href="https://t.co/MA0TUyYvpX">https://t.co/MA0TUyYvpX</a></p>— Astaroth Meinhof (@AstarothMeinhof) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstarothMeinhof/status/905810656774979584">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The leader of the South African cannibal Cult lived in a rented hut in Rensburgdrift where he was known locally as "Mkhonyovu" which translates roughly to "the corrupt one" or "corruption" in the local Zulu language. The hut was rented from Philani Magubane, is alleged that Magubane's brother was an acccomplice in the "Corrupt One's" ritual murders.
Philani spoke to the BBC about the tragedy:
<quote>"I was shocked to find out that my younger brother fell for the traditional healer's fairytales - he promised them wealth when he was just as poor as I am."</quote>
Philani believes his brother and the other Witch doctor apprentices found themselves embroiled in the depraved affair after being lured with immediate promise of gainful employment and more tenuous possibilities of magic power conveyed through "muti" or magic charms. In addition to the "Corrupt One" and his attendants, several villagers have admitted to taking part in ritual cannibalism. All five men have abandoned their bail applications. Community members are asking that the police hand over the accused. According to Natasha Ramkisson of The National Prosecuting Authority the men will remain in custody until their next court appearance this month.
