The police in the Mopani area are investigating two cases of ritual murder following two separate incidents that took place in the area over the past weekend.

In the first incident, a headless body of a person whose gender could not be determined was found by herdboys in the bushes at the Saselani village in the Mhlala area on Saturday morning.

According to the spokesperson for the police in the area, Capt Maano Sadike, the legs, private parts, hands and breasts were removed, thus making it difficult for the police to determine whether the victim was a man or woman. No arrest had been made at the time of going to press.

In the other incident, the body of a 49-year-old man was found lying inside the rivulet at the Hlaniki village in the Giyani area on Saturday morning. According to the police statement, the body was discovered by a passerby.

The statement indicates that the body had two open wounds to the head. The private parts had also been removed. The statement further indicates that a screwdriver and a panga, which are believed to have been used in the killing of the deceased, were found next to the body. The deceased was identified as Mr Edward Maswanganyi from Hlaniki village.

The police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the case on Tuesday. He was still to appear in court at the time of going to press. The police have appealed to anyone who has information regarding the two brutal killings to contact them at 0860 010 111 or at any police station.