Clergy tips Malawi govt on how to deal with albino killings, mob justice

Presbyterian churches top council, the CCAP General Assembly says the current spate of albino killings and mob justice could be as a result of social problems affecting Malawi including lack of development.

CCAP General Assembly Moderator Timothy Nyasulu said this after meeting President Peter Mutharika Thursday in Blantyre.

Nyasulu said the government must scale up development activities to deter people from engaging in such malpractices.

“Maybe they are angry, maybe it is poverty, maybe lack of confidence in the police but we condemn this in the strongest terms,” said Nyasulu.

He said the government must provide adequate social services and development, saying where there is development such horrible things do not occur.

Nyasulu said the church will continue providing social services to its flock in conjunction with the government.

There have been a spate of albino killings in the past years for quick rich charms and commentators blame this on the downward spiral of the economy.

There has also been a rise in mob justice as people have lost faith and confidence in the police as their services have been severely crippled as the department is facing huge budgetary cuts.

President Mutharika asked the church to help the government deal with the issues.

The CCAP General Assembly include Blantyre Synod, Nkhoma Synod, Livingstonia Synod and CCAP synods of Zambia and Zimbabwe but has also membership in Mozambique and Tanzania.

Officials say the CCAP has a following of 11 million people in all the five synods.