8 arraigned over albino attack

General of Police of Tanzania, Mr Ernest Mangu 

By Mussa Mwangoka

In Summary

The government admitted recently that politicians could be behind the increasing attacks and killings of people with albinism in the country. The accusation came in the wake of reports that linked the country’s political power pursuit with attacks on albinos. (The Citizen)

Mpanda. Eight men have appeared before Mpanda Resident Magistrate’s Court in connection with an attack against a woman with albinism, in which the latter had her hand chopped off.

The woman, a resident of Mwamachoma Village in Mlele District, Katavi Region, was identified as Ms Remi Luchumi, 30.

Those who were arraigned include Alex Manyanza, 24, Nogele Maliganya, 40, Galula Nkuba, 45, Shile Jilala, 27, Masunga Kashinje, 34, Maiku Punga, 27, Koga Silanga, 32, all residents of Maji Village and a resident of Meatu District in Shinyanga, Salumu Sawa.

Reading charges in the court, the state attorney, Ms Hongera Mwakifimbo, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on May 14, this year at around midnight at the victim’s home.

The prosecution stated that on the fateful day the suspects raided the victim’s home where she was asleep, attacked her using machetes, chopped off her hand and disappeared with it to an unknown destination.

Responding to the charges, all the defendants denied involvement in the grisly act and requested the court to grant them bail.

Their application was, however, rejected by the court after the prosecution said releasing them would jeopardise the ongoing investigations.

Presiding over the case, magistrate Odira Amworo, postponed the hearing until July 15, this year when it will be mentioned again. The defendants were therefore taken back to remand prison.

The grisly incident in which a person with albinism was attacked was the first in Katavi Region since it was split from Rukwa Region a few years back.

According to an NGO that advocates for the rights of people with albinism, albinos elsewhere in Africa are misunderstood, disadvantaged, and even attacked and killed.

There is a misbelief that body parts of people with albinism possess some magical powers that those who use them can obtain power and/or wealth. As a result, some witchdoctors are the ones who are after these body parts which they sell to their clients.