An 11-year-old boy was abducted and mutilated in Soweto on Friday, said Gauteng police.
The boy, from Dobsonville, was taken near Doornkop at about 9am by an unknown man, said Captain Mpande Khoza.
The man took him to a railway line in Midway where his left ear and penis were cut off.
The boy was left by the railway line until he was later discovered by Metrorail employees, who contacted police.
Khoza said he was taken to Moroka police station and then transported to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital where he was receiving treatment, and his father was notified.
The mother was in KwaZulu Natal following the death of a family member.
Police believe the incident to be muti-related.
A case of attempted murder has been opened. - Sapa