Mob burns 7 to death in Nsanje over human bones – Malawi Police

An angry mob in Nsanje district on Tuesday attacked and burnt to death seven people for allegedly being in possession of human bones, police have confirmed.

The incident happened in area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Tengani.

Nsanje police Officer-In-Charge (OC) Kirby Kaunga told the local media the mob attacked the deceased before setting them on fire after some villagers had claimed that they were carrying bones of a human being.

”We have not yet made any arrest. We are currently investigating the matter,” Kaunga said.

Trading in human body parts is illegal in Malawi and punishable under Section 16 of the Anatomy Act.

Recently there has been an increase in the cases of human body parts trade. The victims, mostly, have been people with albinism.

A lucrative black market exists for the body parts of albinos, who are believed by some to possess magical powers that can bring good luck.