Mchinji chiefs for protection of people with albinism

Traditional leaders in Mchinji have pledged protection of people with albinism in their communities.

The chiefs made the pledge on Saturday when the Department of Civic Education held a meeting with them at their headquarters in the district.

In his remarks, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kapondo said he has put in place measures to ensure that people with albinism, especially school children, are protected both at school and at home.

“We have instructed parents to report any suspicious activities around people with albinism,” he said

On his part, T/A Mduwa asked the Department of Civic Education to organise special meetings with herbalists to sensitise them to the need to protect people with albinism.

“We know some people abduct and kill people with albinism on advice from herbalists that they would become rich if they sold bones of people with albinism,” he said.

Mduwa called for urgency in the prosecution of suspects, saying most cases concerning albino attacks drag.

In her remarks, Principal Secretary in the Department of Civic Education Ivy Luhanga said government is concerned with abductions and killings of people with albinism.

 “We will be visiting all the districts where there have been such attacks to raise awareness,” she said.

Since November 2014, the number of reported crimes against people with albinism in Malawi has risen to 152, including 25 murders and more than 10 people missing, according to Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (Apam).