Mandela in UK 'torso murder' plea

Mandela said he "would not be surprised" if the killers were from Africa

LONDON, England -- Former South African leader Nelson Mandela has made an impassioned worldwide appeal in connection with a suspected ritualistic murder of a young boy.

Mandela, speaking in Johannesburg on Friday, appealed for anyone with information to come forward to help British detectives identify the mystery victim, who police have named Adam.

The boy's torso was found floating in London's River Thames. His arms, legs and head have never been recovered and police believe his body parts may used for traditional medicines.

Mandela told reporters: "The post-mortem revealed that he died in a very violent manner. His neck had been cut in a very unusual way and he died of loss of blood."

"It may be that we are dealing here with what is often referred to as a muti murder."

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South Africa has seen several so-called muti murders, of people killed for body parts which some traditional healers believe are essential ingredients for certain kinds of medicine.

Mandela said: "Scotland Yard has appealed to us to add our voice to (ask) those people around the world to come forward with any information that could help identify the young murder victim and trace the perpetrators of this horrific crime."

He added: "Scotland Yard informs me that early indications from their investigation are that the boy comes from somewhere in Africa and that he may have arrived in the UK only days before his murder.

"Establishing the true identity of the boy is crucial for a successful conclusion for the investigation being conducted by the police.

The dismembered body was found near London's Tower Bridge

"If anywhere, even in the remotest village of our continent, there is a family missing a son of that age who might have disappeared around that time, please contact the police in London directly, or through their local police.

"I would not be surprised if the perpetrators (of the killing) come from this continent."

The Afro-Caribbean boy's body was discovered near Tower Bridge in London on September 21 last year.

Two Scotland Yard detectives, Commander Andy Baker and Detective Inspector Will O'Reilly, are in South Africa where they briefed Mandela about the murder.

The detectives have spent the week talking to experts in ritualistic killings and academics in an effort to help their investigations.

Baker said: "Mr. Mandela is a highly respected, valued and revered man by people across the world and in particular by the African community.

"Scotland Yard is deeply grateful he has agreed to help with this inquiry and we hope that his valuable contribution will encourage those with information to come forward."

A reward of £48,000 ($68,600) has been offered for information leading to conviction of the boy's killer.