Muti killings: 'Be defensive'

[dArKeR]

"Ritual murder is a fact in Swaziland. Our only protection is to adopt a defensive attitude," says Robert Dube, a businessman in the capital city.

Dube said his views were shared by most of his fellow Swazis.

"Ritual murder" is the imprecise name given to gruesome killings where no ritual is involved.

"The victim is usually easily overpowered - a child, or a widow - and murdered, usually by hired killers," said Vusie Masuku of Royal Swaziland police.

Body parts of the murder victims are then "harvested".

Taken are bits of flesh from under the armpits, a finger and some internal organs.

Legend says the most-potent parts are cut from a still-living person.

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