A 32-year-old suspect has been charged with the unlawful possession of human tissue.
The man accused of trying to sell a severed human penis at a mall in South Africa has been arrested after horrified shoppers turned on him.
The suspect was grabbed by outraged mall visitors when he reportedly took out the body part and offered it up for sale.
Shoppers held the man until police arrived at the Fingoland Mall, in the town of Butterworth, in the Eastern Cape Province, on April 20.
The suspect, who has not been named, has been charged with the unlawful possession of human tissue.
He made his first appearance before a judge at the Butterworth Magistrates’ Court on April 24.
His case has been transferred to a higher court and he is expected to face an attempted murder charge, according to local media.
Police spokesman Majola Nkohli said: ‘It is believed that he was looking for a buyer in Butterworth.
‘Preliminary investigations have revealed that the private parts were removed from a 68-year-old man in OR Tambo District.’
The Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has praised locals for detaining the suspect.
Lt Mene said: ‘This is a despicable and cruel act. The actions of the suspect are inhumane, and justice must take its course.’
The victim, who has not been named, is reportedly in hospital.
