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This article contains graphic details and visuals that may upset some readers…

It has been more than a month since Abdul-Karriem Adams found a dead cat in his yard, with its abdomen cut open and intestines spilt out.

Adams soon found he was far from alone, with numerous Manenberg residents telling of similar stories.

First, the body count hit double figures, and then rose to at least 27, with the Animal Welfare Society of SA (AWS) offering a reward that could lead to an arrest.

The story just kept on getting stranger, and sadder, as residents in Manenberg’s Johannesburg Street said headless cats were flung into their yards, and the number of dead cats passed 30.

That total has now hit 40, and authorities remain stumped.

Cape Town Etc reports that AWS has received post mortem reports from the Western Cape Government Veterinary Laboratory on some of the cats:

One of the cats died due to a severe blunt force trauma to her left dorsal thorax, leading to damage to the spine and multiple fractures to the ribs that then damaged the lungs.

This means she was viciously beaten to a pulp before being sliced open with a sharp blade and disembowelled.

Another cat suffered gruesome, fatal injuries and had post mortem alterations to his body. His right thoracic wall was removed and his injuries suggest it was done by a sharp blade.

In other words, he had been primitively dissected and gutted.

A really special place in hell awaits the guilty party or parties.

Members of the public have spoken about the possibility of the killings being linked to Satanism, but any connection has swiftly been rebuked by the Satanic Church of South Africa.

This via a Facebook post from yesterday:

The general public still associate rituals involving animals with Satanism. This is mainly due to misconceptions spread through the Satanic Panic.

We as the South African Satanic Church do not condone any abuse or slaughter of animals. This goes against Satanism, as well as Satanic philosophy.

None of our rituals require the slaughter of any living being.

The safety and protection of animals are of utmost importance to us especially as the Satanic philosophy calls for all animals to be held in the highest regard.

The church has now added a R10 000 reward of its own for anybody who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the cat serial killer.

You can send information via email to info@satanicsa.org, or through WhatsApp on 082 844 6588.

AWS spokesperson Allan Perrins also said they’ve increased their reward to R10 000, and the organisation recommends that affected pet owners keep their cats indoors at night.

Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious behaviour to 021 692 2626 or 082 601 1761, or via email to inspector@awscape.org.za.

As things stand, Manenberg police are investigating two cases of cruelty to animals, but are yet to make any arrests.

Abdul-Karriem Adams spoke yesterday with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit about the hunt for the cat killer:

[sources:capetownetc&capetalk]