Malawi police rescue suspected albino attackers from mob justice: Karonga residents besiege court

Police in the Malawi northern border district, Karonga, Tuesday rescued the two suspects of albino abductions from an angry mob. after the First Magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda adjourned the case.

Fishani Mtambo aged 33 from Mukwavi Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwenewenya in Chitipa and Wamisi Kawumba 32 of Cheyama Village in the Traditional Authority Kyungu in Karonga were arrested on Thursday last week suspected of abduction a 11 year old albino boy who was latter rescued by the surrounding community.

Prosecutor Peter Pilingu pleaded with the Magistrate not to continue with the hearing of the case, claiming that the Director of Public Prosecution Mary Kachali wants to give guidance on the matter before proceeding.

“Your honour before we start the hearing, please, I want to give out an appeal that we have just received a phone call from the DPP commanding us not to start the case today because they want to guide us how we should handle the case amicably,” said Pilingu.

Magistrate Nyirenda adjourned the case to 17th September allowing the police to prepare themselves for the case.

The development provoked crowds of people who besieged the court premised and they started pelting stones as they were suspecting that the police are planning to free the suspects.

Others threatened to torch the suspects but police has to whisk them away.

Police also fired tear gas but failed to arrest any person in connection to the stone throwing and no injuries were reported.

Albinos in Malawi are killed and dismembered due to a widespread belief that charms made from their body parts bring good fortune and prosperity.

It is claimed albino body parts can fetch thousands of dollars.

Albinism is a genetic condition characterised by a deficiency of melanin pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes which protects from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

People suffering from the condition are discriminated against and persecuted in many African countries.