A 32-year-old man appeared in the Mthatha magistrate’s court on Tuesday after allegedly trying to sell a severed human penis.
King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal bosses have expressed concern that such crimes could drive away potential investors.
Jongo Kalako, who was arrested in Butterworth last week, faces a charge of attempted murder.
The Dispatch reported that Kalako had been caught red-handed by shocked shoppers while he was allegedly trying to sell a man’s genitalia at a taxi rank.
He told people he was selling a firearm, but instead allegedly showed a man’s penis stuffed inside a bag.
The penis is understood to have been that of a homeless man, 67, whose name is known to the Dispatch.
He has been living on the streets of Mthatha for many years.
He is originally from Sikhobeni village in Dutywa.
Kalako is reportedly from Ndibela village in Mthatha but was staying in the Traco residential area near the Phola Park and Slovo Park informal settlements in Mthatha West.
NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyai confirmed Kalako had appeared in court on Tuesday, when he was due to apply for bail.
The matter was postponed, but Tyali was unable to supply the Dispatch with a new date at the time of writing.
KSD municipal spokesperson Sonwabo Mampoza said they were extremely worried about such gruesome incidents.
“We are really shocked at this. It doesn’t only tarnish the image of men, but has tainted our image as a town and municipality.
“We want to be a metropolitan municipality by 2026. We need to become a smart and safe metro where people do not live in fear but learn to live peacefully. But now people are shaken.
“Tourists and potential investors will be afraid to come to an area where such violent crimes are committed.”
Mampoza said they condemned all forms of crimes against humanity and were working with law enforcement agencies to stave off criminals in KSD towns.
The victim had been living under a canopy in front of the Copper Lake Flats alongside the R61 next to Fort Gale.
Those who know him have described him as “a very sweet person”.
A petrol attendant at a nearby fuel station, Velile Gxiyana, said they often gave the homeless man food.
“We are shocked by what happened to him.
“He came to us here almost every day and even called us by our clan names.
“He could grasp a lot of things even though you could tell that he was not 100% mentally stable.”
Traco resident Siphiwo Sineke, who lived in the same neighbourhood as Kalako, said they did not know much about him, but he was a very quiet person.
The man had moved into the area not long ago to keep an eye on his aunt’s home as she was in Johannesburg.
He said they had all been shocked when the story of his arrest went viral on social media.
They had since had a meeting with the aunt and told her they didn’t want to see him in their area again.
DispatchLIVE
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