Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu, 20, who is connected to at least eight murders in Harare, has admitted to the killings but denied consuming human flesh.

Ndlovu appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs. Ethel Chichera for confirmation of statements.

Ndlovu informed the court that he was brutally beaten by officers from the CID to confess to cooking and eating human flesh.

The accused, facing charges of five counts of murder and attempted murder, claims that he was coerced by detectives into admitting to being a cannibal.

The arrest of Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu came after diligent work by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide in Harare.

Acting on information linking Ndlovu to the gruesome murders, detectives were able to apprehend him on September 4 along Rotten Row in Harare.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the suspect was linked to the five murder cases in Harare and three in Bulawayo.

The police have found no evidence to suggest that the killings were motivated by ritual purposes.