Kamuzu Academy alumni offer K1m bounty on albino killers’ head
Kamuzu Academy Alumni Association (KAAA) has added its own voice on the public outcry condemning the barbaric and heinous acts being perpetrated against people with albinism in Malawi and have offered a K1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of killers of perpetrators of the ritual murders.
The grouping in a statement has made several proposals to President Peter Mutharika and one of them is that the government should set up meaningful rewards to entice members of the public who may have and can provide useful information for apprehension and/or prosecution of perpetrators of the abductions or murders.
“To this end we pledge of MK1 million as a reward to the person(s) who will provide information that will lead to immediate arrest and successful conviction of the mastermind(s) behind these abductions and killings,” says the statement issued by KAAA spokesperson, lawyer Davis Njobvu.
“We, the undersigned alumni of Kamuzu Academy, within Malawi and abroad, having noticed the escalation of abductions and brutal killings of people with albinism in our country, Malawi, in the past few months/weeks, have decided to add our voice to those that are condemning these barbaric and heinous acts.
“As sons and daughters of Malawi, we share in the pains, distress and suffering of Malawians with albinism, their families and all people of goodwill caused by these killings which, in essence are a blatant and wanton violation of the constitutional right to life.
“We call upon the State and the Courts to protect people with albinism and further to jealously guard their freedoms.”
The KA alumni made the following proposals to the President and/or the Government:
- To appoint a Commission to inquire into these abductions and killings. Amongst other things, this Commission should collate testimony of persons with valuable knowledge or experiences which can provide an insight and help the country to understand who are the people behind these acts and where are the harvested body parts being used or merchandised.
- To immediately establish a specialised team of investigators and prosecutors with full funding and resources for them to focus purely on these cases to ensure that justice is done. All perpetrators must be brought to book and be punished accordingly.
- The Courts must prioritize cases involving abductions and/or killings and ensure that hearings, judgment and all processes, are concluded timeously without undue delays.
- Offers must be made to the members of the public for meaningful rewards if they provide useful information for apprehension and /or prosecution of perpetrators of these abductions or murders. To this end we pledge the total amount of MK1,000,000 (One Million Kwacha ) as a reward to the person(s) who will provide information that will lead to immediate arrest and successful conviction of the mastermind(s) behind these abductions and/or killings.
- All people with albinism, regardless of whether they are orphaned or not, should henceforth be placed under the protection and surveillance of the Police, District Commissioners, Chiefs and such other authorities, to prevent further abductions or murders of people with albinism.
The statement says the abductions and killings “simply must stop!”
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That initiative is American way and in long run it works. That is how we captured Sadam Hussein, Bid laden the list goes on. I like the point of Chakwera by taking the government to task. President should not be sleeping on the job period.
I like the initiative, albeit based on wrong assumptions
Any contributions from K100 above will bring the bounty to a staggering amount attractive and enough to discourage the master minder from counter offer.please organize the account number but at the same time ensure that conmen shouldn’t take advantage of this fundraising exercise.
It a good initiative but the perpetrators of these crimes recieve more than 1 M… It is a very lucrative business that is why it is so hard to destroy. The killings are not ritualistic… The body parts ars used for ritualistic purposes to make get rich quick and election wining potions.
This is a very good initiative. My suggestion is that KAAA open up to the general public at large and accept contributions either through Airtel Money, Mpamba or bank account so that the bounty can be increased and be more attractive. If every able and well wishing Malawian can contribute MK1000, we can create a big fund for an attractive bounty. All in all well done KAAA.
This is very good osati za Ochakwera zosapereka ma suggestions koma kumangolubwalubwa.
The only problem is that the suggestions are being to a government which is committing the murders in the belief that albino parts will help them stay in power to continue stealing!
I subscribe to the initiative. I had similar views. Tha statement by Dr. Ntaba on one of local radio stations also said that some of perpetrators are relations to the victims. This should make the work of the investigators/police much easier because by pinning down the relations we can get down to the root faster.
Very commendable.
It would be great to set out an actionable plan with dates.
If only a bank account could be dedicated and reliable people chosen to over see the governance process, many would be willing to dedicate funds to this worthy cause.
I feel the processes should be totaly free from political and government interference. Perpetrators would be prosecuted by a special fast tracked system with in the judiciary system.
Anything is possible with the will. The problem is the will.
The action that has been well overdue way back. If government had taken this tough stance we could be talking about a different story now. True example of action-oriented approach and kulubwalubwa i.e transactional leadership.
When there was a rumour about NAMAPOPAs who did not even exist, the president addressed a rally in Mulanje. Now we have this issue, the government under the leadeship of APM seem not to care. In fact we should all be ashamed as a country. When our brothers and sisters with albinism see us, they see a potential killer and a buyer of body parts. They can not trust anyone. A priest, a police officer, a clinician have been arrested on charges of killing a person with albinism. Shame on Malawi.
This is the way to go. A financial reward will bring forward information that will greatly assist. Well done. Great news
I think instead of putting this money as a reward for information that lead to arrest why dont we employ private investigators with background in millitary or secret service or ex police. We contribute a big amount and employ our own investigators.We will hire the best because we can pay them handsomely ,the goverment should allow some of the servicemen in army or police who wish to undertake the challenge and should also facilitate the laws and mandate for such an undertaking.