We’ll torch you, community police warns albino attackers
Blantyre Community Policing (BCP) chairperson Misheck Munthali on Sunday vowed to deal with anyone found guilty of killing, abducting and exhuming bodies of people with albinism.
Munthali sounded the warning in the presence of senior police officers from Southern Region Police Headquarters during the launch of an arts initiative to create awareness on violence against albinos.
“Blantyre Community Policing will torch anyone found guilty of killing people with albinism,” he said, attracting applause from the audience, which included persons with albinism.
However, reacting to Munthali’s sentiments, Commissioner for Southern Region Police Dempster Chigwenembe warned citizens against mob justice.
He said: “As much as we are all disturbed with the violation of rights against persons with albninism, we should avoid mob justice.
“We should aim to bring suspects before a competent court of law for justice to take its course.”
However, Chigwenembe pleaded with the Judiciary to mete out stiffer penalties to convicts of human rights violation against persons with albninism.
On his part, Blantyre Police Station officer-in-charge Ellobium Banda said they have intensified efforts to deal with human rights violation against persons with albinism in the district.
“We are working with communities to create awareness on the unfounded myths and beliefs that body parts of people with albinism are a source of wealth,” he said.
