President Mutharika Sends Strong Warning on Albino Killings

• Condemned albino attacks, abductions and killings

• Describes the malpractice as inhuman and barbaric 

The Malawi President Professor Peter Mutharika finally speaks out against the ‘barbaric’ killings of people born albino- by making a strong warning that his government will hunt down perpetrators without relent until apprehended and justice take its course.

Mutharika was speaking on Thursday afternoon at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, where in his succinct speech he has condemned the act in strongest terms and described albino killings as “in human and barbaric acts”

“As commander In Chief of Malawi Defense Force and the Malawi Police Services, my message to those perpetrating this is that, we will hunt you down and not relent until apprehended and justice takes full course on you” he said and send his and the First Lady’s message of condolence to families that lost their beloved ones through such “inhuman acts”

President Mutharika while expressing shock of the widespread reports from media of attacks, abductions and killings of albino, he said attacks of people with albinism is evil and threat to human right to life for all human beings enshrined in the republican constitution.

He said he has made a directive to Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Inspector General of Police and all security agencies to be on “high alert” and arrest all people responsible for attacks, abductions and killings of albino.

“I have further directed the Minister, Inspector General and all security agencies to provide maximum protection to our brothers and sisters with albinism”

The Malawi leader has called upon Judiciary to speedup trials for all suspects arrested in connection with attacks and killings of albino so that they move in one direction as government in stopping this vice.

President Mutharika further appealed to all people of good will to cooperate with security agents in reporting all suspected people involved in such barbaric acts. He has assured the nation that he will not allow people born with albinism to live in fear of losing their lives because of their condition following some peoples “unreasonable beliefs”  

Communities, Police Tightens Security on Albino Abduction in Salima

Communities, Police Tightens Security on Albino Abduction in Salima

Communities and Police in the district of Salima have join hands in the fight against killings of people born albino by tightening security in all the communities.

The development comes as Salima Police in the week ending on Saturday 14th March, 2015, were sensitizing Salima communities of the significance of protecting albinos by reporting to police, cases and suspected persons to be perpetrators of the of albino abduction. 

Salima district Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Gift Chitowe said police encounter with communities has led to revamping and establishing community policing Forums as their message has been warmly welcomed

“The incidents of albino abduction and hacking of their body parts is now a big issue in this country, we know that the lives of our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters born albino are in danger” he said, “As Salima Police we thought, it is imperative that we communicate with members of the general public on the importance of collaboration in the efforts of safeguarding lives of albinos in the district.”

Sgt. Chitowe emphasized “We cannot end this malpractice without effective engagement with communities” and added, “We are happy that we received a warm welcome because people have promised to protect albinos and report suspects or any case to Police”

Salima Police PRO also mentioned that Community Policing Coordinator Prisca Maulana throughout the meetings assured communities that police will ensure that Community Policing group members are trained so that they conduct their duties professionally.

Chitowe said police in the district are pursuing one suspected case of albino abduction following disappearance of an albino man who used to be found at Salima Metro shop “We are continuing with our investigations to establish if his disappearance is a result of abduction or if he moved somewhere else”

Cases of albino abduction for human parts are on the increase in Malawi where, more than dozen cases have been reported and many have been arrested for being found in possession of bones and body parts suspected to belong to albino person. Each passing week, there are reported cases of either missing albino or exhumation of albino graves.