Police move to protect persons with albinism

Malawi Police Service has engaged traditional healers in Mwanza on how to protect persons with albinism in the district.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting with traditional healers in Mwanza, national director of community policing and rural police units Aubrey Nyirenda said the meeting sought to find ways on how the police can work with traditional healers to protect persons with albinism.

He said traditional healers were top on the list of people mentioned as being behind the disappearance or killing of persons with albinism.

“There are myths that body parts of persons with albinism bring wealth or fortunes, which promotes some people to attack persons with albinism,” said Nyirenda.

Taomboledwa Traditional Healers Association of Malawi president Masamba Gama dismissed the allegations that traditional healers were fuelling the killing of people with albinism.

“Our duty is to give sick people herbs to get well and not to tell someone to kill another person for body parts for rituals,” he said.

Gama pledged to support the police with information on such barbaric acts.

Senior Chief Kanduku asked government to speed up the construction of houses for persons with albinism in the district to enhance their security.

One of the persons with albinism, Justin Kafandiye from Tchale Village, Traditional Authority Govati, asked people to change their mindset towards persons with albinism.

There are 38 persons with albinism in the district.