Malawi security minister says govt surprised with Chitipa albino attack

Home Affairs and Internal Security minister Jappie Mhango says the government is surprised with the Saturday attack on a woman with albinism in Chitipa as it thought the situation was under control.

Mhango said this at Mzuzu Central Hospital where he went to visit a 52 year old woman with albinism whose hand was chopped off on Saturday.

Lucia Kainga is admitted to Mzuzu Central Hospital after thugs chopped off her right hand and went away with it.

“This has come as a great surprise,” said Mhango.

“ We thought the situation was under control, we never expected more attacks after pronouncements against the vice and massive civic education,” he said.

Mhango said the government will not relent in the fight against the abductions and killings of people with albinism.

“His Excellency the President sent the Inspector General of Police and the deputy Inspector General of police to Tanzania and Rwanda respectively to study on how these countries dealt with the vice,” he said.

At least 18 people with albinism have been violently killed since the wave of abductions and killings started two years ago.