Blood for blood: The folly of using albino tragedy for political publicity stunt

Malawi on Thursday rose up to comic scenes of “a naked parade” of  parliamentarian Bon Kalindo who has roped in activist Billy Mayaya lobbying for death sentence for albino killers.

Kalua with Kalindo after presenting the petition
Kalua with Kalindo after presenting the petition
MPs ready to receive the petition
MPs ready to receive the petition
Kalindo addressing the protestors
Kalindo addressing the protestors

They marched from Area 18 roundabout to City Centre demanding death sentence for albino killers.

Led by comedian-cum-politician Kalindo, the comic parade has been widely viewed as a joke and insensitive  on the national tragedy of albino killings.

At a time when the country is mourning the killing of close to 18 albinos, hacking of some and exhumation of remains, it smacks lack of seriousness for someone to trivialize the matter under the banner of comedy stunts.

Malawians across the board have expressed displeasure along the same lines.

When asked to comment on the demonstrations, Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Civic Education Patricia Kaliati, who is the official government spokesperson, said: “Malawi Government is applying the maximum penalty of life imprisonment, which is more accepted by worldwide civilised humanity”.

Just about a week ago, there was widely echoing applause from University of Malawi, the Association of People with Albinism of Malawi, the civil society and the public for the first High Court judgement of life imprisonment meted out on a Mzuzu-based man.

Both Malawi Government and Amnesty International, as well as the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi have ruled out application of death sentence, which is widely viewed as barbaric punishment.

As Malawi reviews its laws to ensure stiff punishment for all cases related to segregation and violence against Albinos, many are wondering why Bon Kalindo, who is also a Parliamentarian, has not taken his fight to Parliament.

Meanwhile, traditional chiefs and Kalindo’s Mulanje South constituents are angry with the parliamentarian for displaying a taboo in a country that is known for strong and deep cultural observance.

Arm albinos with guns’

Elsewhere, Mzuzu University (Mzuni) students  marched and petitioned President Peter Mutharika and Parliament to consider equipping albinos with guns for self-defence.

The students, who presented the petitions through Mzuzu City Council (MCC), argue that government is not doing enough to protect the victims. The demonstration comes following a series of attacks on people with albinism.

Mzuni students asked the President and Parliament to come up with bold decision to curb the attacks.

The students want authorities to enact a law that will enable people with albinism to own guns and use them in self-defence. They said persons with albinism should also undergo basic military training to enhance their defence.

The students argued that the police have failed to protect the victims and the option will be to equip them with guns.

The students also want the President to appoint a commission of inquiry to investigate the attacks and track the people behind this, the purported market for body parts, among others.

On the use of guns, Mzuni Students Representative Council president Wazamazama Katatu said there are a number of people who have licensed guns which they use in self-defence.

Mzuzu City mayor William Mkandawire received the petition from the students and assured them that it will be delivered to relevant authorities.

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CHECHAMBA
CHECHAMBA
7 years ago

A SING’ANGA AMENE AMANAMIZA ANTHU KUTI ALBINO NDI NDALAMA TIWAFUFUZE,TIWAPEZE KOMANSO APHEDWE BASI!

KOMANSO A DPP NDI PROFESSOR WANU YEMWE DZIKO LONSE PANO LIKUDZIWA KUTI NDI WA TULO MUNKANAMA NTHAWI YOMWE AMAYI ALI MU BOMA INU MULI KU OPPOSITION KUTI INU NOKHA NDI MUNG’ONO WA BINGU NDINU MUNGABWELESE CHITETEZO MU MALIWI MUNO PANO MA ALBINO AKUPHEDWA INU MULI NDWIIII? 2019 MCP ILOWE MU BOMA INU MUBWELESO KU OPPOSITION CHIFUKWA CHAKWERA AKUWONEKA WO CHANGAMUKAKO.

Hangman
Hangman
7 years ago

I bet the author of this article or whoever sent him or her is very angry that the protest was a huge success and no wonder MBC tv is the only station which decided not to feature this as a news story. Thanks to other stations…..CAN actually featured the march not just clips.

Mugonapamhanya
Mugonapamhanya
7 years ago

Naked demos are the loudest that have ever taken place in the country. Demos are about lobbying using anything possible that will draw people’s attention to the petition especially those in authority. Successful demos will use the most effective and creative methods to make their anger and concerns to be felt by everyone. That is what Hon Winiko did. In any case he was exercising his right to express himself within the tenets of democracy. Koma enanu kumangophwisa uku mukutsutsa osachita zanu bwanji?
.

Mapwevupwevu
Mapwevupwevu
7 years ago

Hahaha! Ma albino apange basic military training mukufuna akafe ndidzuwa la ku MAFCO?

Bwande
Bwande
7 years ago

Just exactly as my thoughts. This should also extend to parents and guardians of young ones with albinism since some victims are young and cannot handle a gun well enough. Some are women

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