Malawi teacher pleads guilty of selling albino girl, remanded to prison

Mzuzu Principal Resident Magistrate has adjourned to September 22 2015 hearing of a case in which a primary school teacher Phillip Ngulube  is accused of  attempting to sell a person with albinism.

The court has heard that Prosecutors from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) assigned to handle such cases were in Karonga for similar duties.

The 21 year old Ngulube who was working at Mongo Primary School in Mzimba district was arrested Monday and on Tuesday he pleaded guilty to the charge of an attempt to commit the felony Contrary to Section 402 of the Penal Code.

Nyasa Times understands that Ngulube was in love affair with the victim but approached a Mzuzu-based Tanzanian National that he had a person with albinism up for grabs at a K6 million price tag.

Northern Region Police Publicist Maurice Chapola disclosed that the deal back fired as the potential buyer reported the matter to police who laid an ambush and arrested the suspect.

At the court, Magistrate Gladys Gondwe said the suspect should be remanded at Mzuzu Prison.

She did not entertain his plea that he should be allowed to remain in police  cell because he suffers from epilepsy and feared the condition might worsen in prison cell.

Malawi has of late witnessed rising incidents of violence against people with albinism, a situation which prompted Government to appoint the Directorate of Public Prosecution to assist the Malawi Police Service to deal with such cases following the public outcry.

Traditional leaders have condemned the act along with religious leaders, with some calling for shoot to kill on the accused.

Ngulube hails from Mtambo vilage in the area of traditional authority Timbiri in Nkhata Bay.