Police net suspected Ntcheu albino killers

Police in Ntcheu on Saturday arrested three men suspected of killing a 45-year-old man with albinism Fletcher Masina last Wednesday.

Ntcheu Police spokesperson Gift Matewere said yesterday the three were arrested after the law enforcers were tipped off about them.

He identified the suspects as Jussab Saiton, 36, of Zintambira Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chakhumbira in Ntcheu, Dou Mkwaila, 49, and Francisco Kamtsimtsi,40, both from Phumula Village, T/A Kachindamoto in Dedza.

“The three suspects have been charged with murder. However, investigations are still underway,” said Matewere.

The murder of Masina occurred while the action against the killing, abduction and exhumation of graves of people with albinism was in progress.

Disturbing images of the Masina’s naked body with multiple injuries; and both arms, legs and private parts cut off went viral on social media.

During the action week, which started on May 23 and ended on May 27, a Stakeholders Action Group against the killings and abductions of people with albinism presented various petitions to Parliament and justice delivery institutions praying for stiffer laws and actions to put an end to the massacres.

Currently, statistics indicate that Malawi has recorded 67 cases of albino victimisation, including seven killings, 14 kidnappings, three missing persons and 29 tampering with graves.

Last Friday, Mulanje South member of Parliament (MP) Elias Bon Kalindo of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) called for a death sentence bill to be brought in the House to deter would-be albino abductors and killers. n