Security lapse worries Malawi VP Chilima: ‘Stop ritual murders of albinos’

State vice-president Saulos Chilima has accused the government of relaxing security in the country, saying this has led to the latest killing of a person with albinism.

Chilima, who is also leader of newly registered UTM party,  said this at Njewa in Lilongwe on Wednesday when he held a political rally to canvass for votes ahead of the May 21 highly contentious tripartite elections.

“I put the blame squarely on government, on our leaders for the security lapses. Instead of giving tight security to the people with albinism and other people in the country, they are busy thinking what they will do after they lose the elections in May,” he said.

Unknown assailants on Monday killed 54-year-old Yassin Kwenda Phiri, a person with albinism who was working as a hospital assistant at Kande Health Centre in Nkhata Bay.

The killing has shocked Malawians just as it has shocked the police as people thought the butchering of people with albinism had come to an end after intensive civic education and the tightening of laws.

Albinism is a rare,non-contagious, genetic condition present at birth that results in absence of pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair. It is estimated that between 7000-10000 people live with albinism in Malawi.

Erroneous beliefs and superstitions have put the safety and lives of people with albinism at risk, including from killings, abductions, and mutilations.

UTM party has also issued a  strongly worded statement condemning the killing.

“We are once again painfully reminded of how the system and the current leadership has totally and miserably failed Malawians in general and persons with disabilities in particular by not acting decisively to stamp out this behavior of unwarranted and callous brutality,” a statement from the party signed by its spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga said.

Adds Malunga: “Sloppy and sleepy leadership doesn’t notice  this sanctity of life.”

Chilima however said the leadership of the country was busy stealing money in fear that they will lose the election, saying this is why they are stock piling the stolen money elsewhere.

“We know what you are doing. We are following you. When we take over the government this May, we will ask you to simply give us back the money because we want to buy medicine in our hospitals, construct roads and bridges as well as schools and many other public services,” he said.

Chilima announced that once the election results will be announced on May 23, he will take the oath of office at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, saying the government will send buses to Njewa to pick people to witness the occasion, a remark which sent people into stitches.

He said President Peter Mutharika will now join the list of retired heads of state in the country as he will be the fifth to retire and he will be the sixth head of state in Malawi.

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