Malawi to learn from Tanzania on halting albino killings

Rising cases of abductions and killings of people with albinism has forced government to take a leaf from Tanzania on how it has managed to contain the situation.

Reports of kidnappings and murders of people with albinism first emerged from the East African nation, but over the years there has been a sharp decrease due to initiatives government put in place.

In Malawi, according to data issued by the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (Apam), eight people have reportedly been murdered while seven have been kidnapped and are still missing.

Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nankhumwa said in an interview on Sunday a Malawi delegation would be travelling to Tanzania this week to study how their counterparts are dealing with the matter.

Said Nankhumwa: “A team comprising government and civil society representatives was meeting in the Northern Region last week over the matter and a delegation is expected to travel to Tanzania anytime on a study mission.”

He observed that one of the initiatives that had assisted Tanzania to manage the situation is the legal framework Dodoma developed to back it when dealing with perpetrators of crimes against people with albinism.

Said Nankhumwa: “Whatever they are doing now is supported by the law, that is why we want to learn from them.”