Malawi Catholic priest arrested over albino killing: Bishop of Zomba expresses shock

A Catholic priest at Zomba Diocese has been arrreste over the recent abduction and murder of a 22-year-old person with albinism, Mcdonald Masambuka of Machinga, police say.

The suspect priest arrested over albino killings

Masambuka’s body was found on April 1 by police who traced the body following confessions from suspects arrested in connection with the crime.

The suspects under arrest include a police officer and a clinician at Machinga District Hospital.

Police confirmed the arrest of a priest.

Father Thomas Muhosha of Mulombozi Parish in Zomba was arrested on Monday and is being investigated by the Eastern Region Police after he was mentioned as one of the people who took part in the brutal killing of Masambuka.

The national police spokesperson James Kadadzera said currently, Father Muhosha is being kept by the Eastern Region Police where he is being questioned. He is yet to be charged.

“As of now the number of those arrested has reached 12, but investigations are still continuing and evidence is being compiled, we believe more people will be arrested,” he said.

He was taken to Nselema police station for questioning after the arrested police officer reportedly mentioned him as the  man behind the trade of  albino body parts.

Zomba Diocese Bishop,  George Desmond Tambala, said he was shocked with the arrest of the priest.

“The Catholic Diocese of Zomba has learnt with profound shock and shame the allegations against Reverend Father Thomas Muhosha, a priest of our Diocese linking him to the killing of albino, Mc Donald Masambuka,” said Tambala in a statement.

Tambala said the Diocese, like the rest of the Catholic Church in Malawi,  has always strongly condemned the killing of persons with albinism.

“In recent times, as a Diocese we have spoken out against the abduction and killing of persons with albinism. It is with much sadness that we have learned of these allegations against a priest of our Diocese,” said the bishop.

Tambala said the Catholic Church defends the sanctity of life at any point of a person’s life and the killing of albinos is a direct violation of the sanctity of life.

The Diocese of Zomba has since expressed its full cooperation with the arms of the law to see that truth and justice for the victims is established in this case.

Albinos have suffered widespread persecution in Malawi, where witch doctors say magic potions made with albino body parts can bring good luck.

Such killings have declined in recent years, but this latest attack has prompted President Peter Mutharika saying all suspects implicated in the said cases will be prosecuted.

Mutharika said  the depressing development is happening at a time government had made tremendous progress in efforts to stop such barbaric acts.

Said the President: “What is more disheartening is that preliminary investigations into the abduction and murder of Masambuka are showing leads to the effect that some wayward police officer and some members of the community in which the late Masambuka was residing, including a member of his immediate family, might have been involved in his abduction and murder.”

However, the President commended police officers for working tirelessly to establish what had befallen the late Masambuka since his disappearance in February this year.

He said: “The investigating officers should continue on this path and no one implicated should be spared. The public should be assured that government will dig deep into Masambuka’s abduction and murder to ensure that all suspects in the matter, regardless of their social status, are swiftly brought to book.

Masambuka’s murder brought to 22 the number of people with albinism killed in the country since 2014.

At least nine cases of abduction of people with albinism have been reported this year.

In March, Human Rights Defenders Forum, a local human rights watchdog, accused the Malawi Police Service (MPS) of failing to successfully investigate cases of abductions and killings of people with albinism.

Mutharika has since asked for an honest national dialogue on implementation of a death penalty for those convicted of murder.

 

 

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indiana
5 years ago

vandipsesatu ntima vimenezi, Uchindere too much…Malawi why???

indiana
5 years ago

sometimes, I feel that APM is kind of a staller . Nthawi yonseyi where was he? And kungonena that “He should be prosecuted…wtf! Lamulo lophedwa ukaphana libwererenso! Or maybe he is acting holy- but then again, look where that got Malawi. Mr president, hurry the f*ck up. It seems so simple because almost everyone in power does not have albinism. If the president himself had Albinism si bwenzi aliyense wopezeka akupanga zopusazi akuphedwa on the same spot? ku court ma case amenewa anangopita ochepa! Yet anthu omwe ali ma suspects alipo phwiii! Zopusa!

Stan
5 years ago

Shame Malawi

MAGUFULI
MAGUFULI
5 years ago

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE LAND DOESN’T RECOGNISE WITCHCRAFT SO WHO IS EATING THESE BONES OF ALBINOS ??

ANSWER #
IT’S THESE POLICE OFFICERS;
BISHOPS; PASTORS; POLITICIANS .

THAT’S WHY IT’S TAKING SO
LONG TO END THIS SHAMEFUL
TRADE

WITCHCRAFT IS REAL !!!

Napoleon
Napoleon
5 years ago

Mtambo, Trapence, and your group where are you.? PAC where are you.? You have shut up your mouth . This is what you need to speak and condem.

MAMA
MAMA
5 years ago

A BISHOP KUFUNA KUKATAMUKA
AGURE JET

ZOVUTA WATI ??

Concerned citizen
5 years ago

Anyone who intentionally decides to take the life of an innocent person like this, does not deserve to live.

All of you that are worthy of being called leaders have an obligation to the citizenry to see to it that all such unwanted elements are timely and justly ⚖ eliminated.

lastborn
lastborn
5 years ago

every day planes fly well but no news bt wen one crushes its all news. people dont stop flying because of 1 accident be strong the zomba diocese people and whole catholic church join hands in prayer

China
China
5 years ago

Catholic Church is a cult anthu opembedza are brainwashed ngati anthu mumakhulupilira ma prophet. Papa ndi munthu ngati inu nomwe koma mumamunjenjemelera akakhala kunyenga ma priest ndiye number one. Abusing boys inu nomwe. Church choipa ichi

lastborn
lastborn
5 years ago
Reply to  China

its not the church to blame b the priest himself is at fault sizot amagulitsa mafupa as fundraising ya church ai dnt be ridculous to ur seer can do

China
China
5 years ago
Reply to  lastborn

Indeed you are a last born go back to school and learn English and how to write proper grammar imbecile

Chisoni
Chisoni
5 years ago

You are talking too much of a priest how about that police officer.. ? Apoliceso ali involved in this business

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