Boy with albinism abducted in Dedza

Goodson Makanjira, a 14-year-old boy in Dedza District, has become the latest victim of abductions of people with albinism after he was reported missing at daybreak yesterday.

Malawi Police Service says it has mobilised officers in search for the teenager, who is believed to have been snatched from a family house by unknown assailants. His sister, who also has albinism, was also in the house when Goodson was abducted.

The incident happened at Mphanyama Village, Traditional Authority Chilikumwendo, about 90 kilometres away from Dedza Boma.

Police said they have learnt that the abductors wore masks and stormed the house where Goodson and his family were sleeping, causing a commotion before they disappeared into the darkness with the boy.

National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera yesterday said no arrests have been made to date.

Goodson’s kidnapping comes barely three weeks after the abduction of an 18-month old with albinism, Eunice Nkhonjera, in Karonga.

Police arrested three people in relation to Nkhonjera’s abduction but she has not been found to date.

On Monday this week, community members in Machinga rescued a 16-year-old boy with albinism from suspected abductors who dumped him in a bush.

In Lilongwe, a 32-year-old man with albinism foiled an attempt on his life on Friday and police have since intensified patrols.

Meanwhile, Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (Apam) says it is planning to seek asylum for people with albinism as the  country is not safe for them.

Apam has organised a vigil at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on March 3, Martyrs’ Day, to express their grievances directly to President Peter Mutharika.

Malawi has become the focus of negative publicity following the increasing waves of abductions, attacks and murders of people with albinism.

Since 2014, 23 people with albinism have been murdered.

Following the escalation of abductions and killings, the President has proposed that police provide round-the-clock security in communities where there are two or more people with albinism.