A self-proclaimed prophetess accused of selling body parts of dead congregants has been fined a cow and barred from operating his church in the area.

Prophet Qokwane Mncube from The Followers of Jesus Christ Church, under the chieftancy of Nxamalala in Impendle in the Midlands of KwaZulu Natal, is facing over five charges of illegally selling body parts. The complaints were laid by more than five families from her church to the Nxamalala chieftaincy.

According to the locals, Mncube is accused of illegally shaving the dead bodies, cutting off some body parts like tongue, ears, nose and private parts and selling them. Mncube is said to have done all of this under the false pretence of praying for the dead at a mortuary.

"She used to asked the bereaved families to accompany her to a mortuary where she would ask for a permission from the families to pray for the dead. That is when she is said to have performed these acts of shaving hair and cutting body parts. It is alleged that when she had done all of this, there would be a string of deaths in the families after the burial," the source saiid.

The source said that after the case was brought before Chief Simphiwe Zuma, Mncube was fined a cow and she was barred from operating the church in the area. "Mncube was found guilty after the five families gave their testimonies and evidence of what the prophet has been doing in the area. This is regarded as witchcraft and the verdict is that she is banned in the area for good," said the source.

When Chief Zuma was contacted for comment, he confirmed the matter being reported at the KwaNxamalala Tribal Court authority. "The prophet appeared before the Tribal Court after more than five families laid complaints about her activities in the area. We decided to fine the prophetess with a cow. We were also forced to suspend his church activities from his church. This is the first time I have come across a case of this nature and it will be the last time, it happens in my land," he said.

Local Councillor Neliswa Ngubane confirmed knowing about the matter and that they respect the chief's decision. "We are still trying to think how long this has been happening under our watch. How many other families in the area she has done this to and whom is this buyer that keeps placing an order of body parts?" Ngubane asked.

The matter has not been reported to the local police.