The Curious Case of Cannibalism in South Africa

According to an article by the Washington Post, about a week ago 5 people were arrested for the killing of supposedly missing persons, and the storage of the body parts of said persons in a house in the farming village of Estcourt. Furthermore, the article illustrates the fact that these men were also practitioners of traditional healing services, such as the distribution of medicinal herbs and other remedies. These men were also kidnapping and eating other human beings. According to this article, nearly 80% of all South Africans will go to one of these healers before they would go to a hospital. The 5 men have all been found guilty, however the circumstances revolving around those missing is still largely unknown. Many have reported people missing, but nothing has been confirmed just yet. Authorities also speculate that there must have been more people involved in this, but nothing has been confirmed surrounding this as well.
Inside traditional healer's house
Photo above is a snapshot of the house the men were working from. Taken from the BBC.


Needless to say, this is a horrific event to have taken place. Not only was the peace disturbed among those living in and around the village of Estcourt, but the trust between those seeking medicine from these healers has been broken. The World Health Organization confirms the figure mentioned above concerning how much the people of South Africa rely on these healers. Given the circumstances, that trust forged between the healers and their patients has been tainted. A healer, Siphiwe Manana, believes this breach of trust to be the result from this disaster and will affect all of South Africa going forward.

 Before today I had no idea that something as extreme as cannibalism would occur in one of the more industrialized states in Africa. I had little knowledge surrounding the healers of the region as well, illustrating that traditions stretching thousands of years could still be alive today. Unfortunately, because of what has occurred, this seems to be coming to an end.

 Links:
Washington Post
     https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/29/5-arrested-in-alleged-south-    africa-cannibalism-ring-after-man-walks-into-police-station-saying-hes-tired-of-eating-human- flesh/?utm_term=.8f96229b7859

 World Health Organization Data
      http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jh2943e/4.38.html#Jh2943e.4.38

 Picture from the BBC
      http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41072524

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