Malawi woman exhumes albino’s body, arrested

A 40-years-old woman has been arrested in Phalombe district for allegedly exhuming bones of an albino who died three years ago.

Magret Gelezi who was arrested on Thursday, is said to have committed the offence together with her son, Goodson Salure who is currently on the run.

Phalombe police publicist, Augustus Nkhwazi told Nyasa Times that Gelezi confessed during interrogation to have committed the offence.

Gelezi revealed to the law-enforcers, Salure had told her they would be rich if they exhume and sell the bones.

A lucrative black market exists for the body parts of People born without pigment in their skin (albinos), who are believed by some to possess magical powers that can bring good luck.

Superstitions feed myths that albinos are ghosts, sorcerers or demons who have been cursed and, when hunted and killed for body parts, bring good luck to others.

Nkhwazi explained: ”On 1st June this year, there was a graveyard cleaning ceremony at Namandwa village. The suspect was seen showing a tombstone of a relative, Goodson Kalibwanji who was an albino but died three years ago to her son Goodson Salure who stays in Mozambique”.

On Wednesday 10th June, 2015, the said tombstone was found uncovered and remains of the deceased exhumed, and the matter was reported to police who later arrested Gelezi.

Gelezi will be charged of Tampering in the Graveyard under Section 129 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, police are hunting for Goodson Salure who is believed to have fled back to Mozambique.

Gelezi hails from Namandwa village, T/ A Jenala in Phalombe.

Belief in magic is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Malawian newspapers, for instance, frequently run articles on villagers being accused of witchcraft. It is not uncommon to hear stories of politicians or businessmen having accumulated wealth and power through magical means.

But one politician, a former Speaker of Palriament was once convicted by a court for being found trespassing a graveyard in Machinga in the evening.

A graveyard is regarded as a no-go area in most African traditions. People can only enter it during a burial ceremony or after getting permission from a chief to pay respect to a beloved one.

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shaaaa!
shaaaa!
9 years ago

pajanso ogwira ntchito m’manyumba mwawanthu akuti amapangiranso zizimba kuti mabwana awaonjezeleko ka pa mwezi.akukunamizayo nde ndani.sukulu ndi chinthu chofunikira kwambiri

mphwinthe
mphwinthe
9 years ago

zafika posauzanu.Ndichiyani nanga amalawi?

ARICHO
ARICHO
9 years ago

Aphwache a pitala Muthalika

mbani
9 years ago

Alomwe

Tekninja
Tekninja
9 years ago

Bola ofukula.kusiyana ndikupha wamoyo.osabesa ndalama mpaka kumazikwilira!pali ina ija a president ankakaonelera nyanga za njovu zikuotchedwa.tizafadi osauka mpaka kuotcha cash.

Vincent Villus Vanno Kalulu

Kodi Vuto Mchani Ndiye Mukamanga Anthuwo Wakufayo Azuka?Aleni Mukatero Ndiye Kuti Mwalowelera Ntchito Ya Mulungu.

Benson Chirwa
Benson Chirwa
9 years ago

Shoot to kill ndi deal otherwise they will escape ngati ku Limbe.

Chikuni
9 years ago

What is Kaliati’s comment?

yosefe gambatula
yosefe gambatula
9 years ago

Alomwe kukonda chuma chaufiti.Ndiye Pano afukula manda onse ama albino.Mtundu wakuba,mtundu wokonda ufiti,mtundu wokonda kutafuna gondolosi ndikumagwilira tiana ngati gwaladi.

Keen Observer
Keen Observer
9 years ago

Firstly “One Love” what solutions are there that police should do tell them, when Armed robbers are killing our own law enforcers. What rights are you talking about? Have you ever lost a loved thru’ crime????? I guess NO? What rights can give you the power to shoot & kill a police officer whose sole mandate is to protect lives & properties of the citizens. Secondly umbuli mu dziko lathu plus umphawi that’s why 21st Century ino people still believe that Albino can bring good luck. We are really in quagmire.

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