Warning: This story contains distressing details that may disturb some people.
A cannibal killer has died in hospital after being shot by police while eating a woman's body.
Aphiwe Mapekula, 23, reportedly abducted 35-year-old Thembisa Masumpa and took her to his home in Mount Frere, South Africa, on September 9, police say.
He then killed her and cut off her head, before beginning to eat her body.
Police captain Edith Mjoko said Mapekula's mother called police after arriving as the killing was taking place.
"When the mother of the suspect saw what was happening she rushed and called the police to the scene. When they arrived the suspect was busy eating the flesh of the deceased.
"Police ordered him to stop and to hand himself over. He went berserk and stormed at them with the knife. Several warning shots were fired to deter him but in vain."
The 23-year old was taken to hospital where he died a few days later.
"I never raised a son like this one. I never imagined this," Mapekula's devastated mother said.
Mayor Bulelwa Mabengu suspected Mapekula was high at the time of the killing.
"I believe that drugs and substance abuse was a major contributing factor," she told local media.
It is the second cannibal horror case to hit South Africa in three weeks. Six men are in custody after a woman in Estcourt was reportedly raped, murdered and butchered before parts of her were eaten.
Newshub.
