Captain Leonard Hlathi said Philemon Batulekile Baloyi, 48, appeared before the Acornhoek Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. Baloyi was arrested after trying to sell the body parts - a hand and a breast, to a traditional healer.

He told the police he received the body parts from Ben Mongadi, 35, who was a temporary worker at a mortuary in Lydenburg.

Beeld newspaper reported earlier this week that the body parts belonged to a Dutch woman who died in a car crash with her daughter near Lydenburg.

Hlathi said there was no evidence that this report was true.

"Mongadi's claims that the body parts were removed from bodies that were supposed to be cremated at this working place, are still being further investigated.

"We're also bringing in our expertise to discover the origin of the body parts," said Hlathi.

Baloyi's case was postponed to July 14. His co-accused, Mongadi, has also appeared in court and his case was postponed to 6 July.

Sapa

Week in Quotes Judge Hlophe bashes Latin; Malema hates Mickey Mouse; and Lekota hasn't punched anyone...

The iafrica.com debate Should our judicial system be 'Africanised'? Ebrahim Moolla takes on Rebekah Kendal...

Quirky & Bizarre Do you need a laugh? Then check out our offbeat stories from around the world...