CAPE TOWN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday condemned the recent crime acts involving cannibalism in the country.
"We are saddened and shocked that our people could lose their lives in such a manner to the hands of another human being," the party said in response to alleged cannibalism involving traditional healers.
This reportedly happened in the Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality and surrounding areas in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Four men, two of them traditional healers, appeared in a South African court on Monday, facing charges of eating and selling human flesh.
The men, aged between 22 and 32, were believed to be part of a bigger syndicate involved in eating and selling human flesh as traditional medicine.
Local police said they found some body parts in a house belonging to one of the men.
A team of forensic experts were busy identifying the remains, as it is not clear whether the body parts belong to one or several victims.
"This has exposed the extent of our social challenges and requires much more action to revive structures for social transformation at all levels," ANC Regional Secretary Sipho Hlomuka said.
The ANC conveyed its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives to this brutal and senseless killings, he said.
Hlomuka said the ANC in the region is in full support of the communities and encourages its members to join the communities in the fight against these crimes.
As the investigation is still under way, police urged people whose relatives have disappeared in the area to come forward.
