RITUAL ATTACK: GIRL’S LIFE IN DANGER

A 19-YEAR-OLD albino girl who had her arm hacked off in a suspected ritual attack in Chama could be in danger following the release of a key suspect in the matter.

Director for the Albino Foundation of Zambia John Chiti told the Daily Nation in an interview yesterday that he fears for Mirriam Kumwenda’s safety as the distance between Chama town and her village is a three-hour drive.

Mr Chiti said Mirriam remains the key witness plus victim to fully identifying the attackers who might still come back to end her life so as to cover up their tracks.

Mr. Chiti said Mirriam Kumwenda of Chikwa Village in Muchinga Province, was attacked by unidentified people who are believed to have used some chemical substance to make the family fall asleep on the fateful day and none of her relatives can recall what happened.

According to Mr Chiti, Mirriam was kidnapped as she answered a knock at the family home.

He said Police apprehended one of the suspects together with a Mr. Nkhowane who was later released on police bond to help with investigations, a move that has annoyed the Foundation as they fear for the girl’s safety.

Mr. Chiti said “we shall not sit back and relax but follow-up the case to the end to ensure that all the culprits are brought to book.

“We also want to urge the police that the suspects are not the end they should go further to making sure that the actual people behind the buying of Albino body parts should be brought to book for the safety of all Albinos.” There is need to step up security in Zambia because the country is slowly becoming a hub of suspected ritual attacks on people with Albinism, Mirriam’s incident is just one of the many attacks that have been happening with some other cases not being reported.

Mr. Chiti has cautioned that “people living with albinism are most in danger with the upcoming spread of ritual killing and attacks as most of these attacks are fuelled by the rising demand for the body parts of people with albinism used in rituals, known as muti killing or black magic, juju.”

“The hair and bones, genitals and thumbs of people with albinism are said to possess distinct powers alleged to bring wealth or success. They are often dried and ground, put into a package to be carried, to be secreted in boats, businesses, homes or clothing, or scattered in the sea.”