ALBINO ATTACKS

TO BE INVESTIGATED

MALAWIAN President Peter Mutharika has said the UN would send two experts to Malawi in the next two weeks to investigate the attacks and killings of people with albinism in the country.

Mutharika made the announcement in the eastern district of Machinga, which is one of the districts that has recorded most cases of abductions and killings of albinos.

“I’d like to announce that the UN is sending two experts to investigate the killings of people with albinism to establish who are the people involved in these evil acts and where the market, if there is any, is located,” said Mutharika when visiting people who have been displaced by recent floods.

Mutharika’s announcement follows criticism from the opposition, local and international organisations that he has failed to stop the killings. On February 28, Mutharika met a group of albinos at his presidential residence where he made seven pledges, including directing the minister of justice and constitutional affairs to involve international investigators to delve into the atrocities.

The Malawian leader has also instituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the killings.

Mutharika has also directed the country’s treasury to release about $4.1 million (R59m) to fund the implementation of the 2015 National Action Plan, which includes empowering the police to protect people with albinism.

Since November 2014 when the first case of killing of albinos was reported, at least 23 brutal deaths have been recorded in Malawi, while 14 people with albinism have been reported missing. |