Young Indian-origin cricketer beheaded in South Africa

In a brutal incident, a young promising South African Indian intellectually-impaired cricketer has been beheaded in a ritual sacrifice, prompting the police to start a probe and arrest three persons, including his best friend in connection with the murder.

Nawaz Khan, 23, was allegedly lured to a forest near his home by his best friend Thandowakhe Duma, 21 and a traditional healer to a forest near his home, where he was attacked with a bush knife and beheaded, the police said.

His friend Duma was charged with murder after he led the police team to the site of the head at the weekend after confessing that a traditional healer had requested him to bring along a human head to address problems that he (the friend) was facing.

The police also lauded the actions of the community at a housing settlement in the coastal town of Umzinto, who helped nab the traditional healer after he went on the run following the investigation.

Two more people were arrested after being found in possession of Khan’s mobile phones. Khan was named Cricket South Africa’s award for the intellectually impaired Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and lived for the sport.