Priest, 12 Others Convicted Over Murder Of Albino In Malawi

Priest, 12 Others Convicted Over Murder Of Albino In Malawi
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A Catholic priest in Malawi as well as a policeman and a hospital worker are among the 12 people convicted on Friday over the 2018 gruesome murder of a man with albinism, a court official has confirmed.

Africa Daily News, New York gathered that about five out of the 12 were found guilty of killing MacDonald Masambuka, 22, at the peak of a crime spree that saw over 40 murders and 145 assaults on people with the condition in the East African country.

The priest who was Masambuka’s brother, a policeman and hospital employee were accordingly convicted of transacting in human body parts.

The country’s public prosecutions director Steve Kayuni who spoke to newsmen said; ‘MacDonald was betrayed by those he had trust in, namely the brother, the priest, the policeman and the clinical officer. These are positions of trust’.

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Africa Daily News, New York reports that from 2014 Malawi has continousy suffered a wave of assaults over several years against albinos whose body parts are used in witchcraft rituals in the mistaken belief that they bring wealth and luck.

In a judgement which was delivered on Thursday, a high court concluded that the 12 plotted to kill Masambuka to extract his bones, hoping to benefit financially.

“This is a violation of the right to human life and the greatest violation of the rights to life and integrity for persons with albinism,” said judge Dorothy NyaKaunda Kamanga.

Masambuka was murdered after being enticed by his brother to meet his friends who he claimed had found him a woman to marry.

Africa Daily News, New York can now confirm that sentencing has been set for May 31.

There are around 20 cases under prosecution in Malawi courts involving the murder, attempted murder, exhumation and selling of body tissue of people with albinism, said Kayuni.

Activist and former UN rapporteur on albinism, Ikponwosa Ero, said the latest case points to a dangerous safety issue for people with albinism in the country.

Africa Daily News, New York

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