FORMER Blue Bulls flanker Joseph Ntshongwana does not want to stand trial for the axe murders that began in Durban two weeks ago.

Instead the 1,84m tall rugby player, who made his first court appearance yesterday, wants to be sent to a psychiatric institution.

The 34-year-old is accused of randomly killing three men with an axe in Lamontville and Umbilo, Durban.

One of the alleged victims was decapitated and his head was found in a bin in Merebank, Durban.

A man who narrowly escaped death told police that an axe-wielding man told him, "You gave my baby girl Aids", before trying to hack him.

The police yesterday confirmed that Ntshongwana did not have a daughter.

Ntshongwana's counsel, JP Broster, told the court he would make an application under Section 77 of the Criminal Procedure Act because his client was not mentally fit to stand trial.

The Times has established from family members that he suffers from bipolar disorder.

Investigative psychology unit head Gerard Labuschagne said the attacks have been classified as serial killings and police will continue to look for more bodies.