Albino murder worries Zambezia population – Mozambique

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Albino murder worries Zambezia population – Mozambique

1:43 CAT | 19 Jan 2018

DW (File photo) / For illustration purposes only

The death of an albino boy in the Mozambican province of Zambezia is worrying the people and police alike. Authorities found the body of the 11-year-old boy at the weekend, after being tipped off by members of the public.

Police, human rights activists and teachers are concerned about the recent killing near the border with Malawi. Two suspects have been detained, but residents are worried there will be more cases, even after months with no reports of any kidnappings or killings.

Boy kidnapped at home

The albino boy was abducted from his parents’ home in Milange district, near the border with Malawi. He was later murdered, probably, according to Zambezian police spokesman Miguel Caetano, in order to use his body parts in rituals.

“These causes are always the same. The perpetrators seek illicit enrichment using the victim’s organs. We know that, in all the murders in Milange, the purpose was the same. We have two more cases, whose perpetrators are suspected to be living in Malawi,” Caetano said.

Silvio Silva (DW/M. Mueia) — Mozambique human rights activist Silvio Silva

Many communities believe that albino body parts have supernatural powers, and this is not the first case in Zambézia province. Last year, at least 20 albino deaths were recorded, but, for some months, there has been no record of any abductions or killings.

Students and teachers are afraid of travelling to school

Primary school teacher Horacio Gasolina points out that this news leaves the parents of students with albinism terrified, as they have to walk long distances to school.

“People are afraid that some children will not be able to go to school because of these threats,” she says. “We all have to be vigilant, and the police must do their job based on our information.”

Police spokesman Miguel Caetano, said that the authorities were on the alert, and that one of the measures taken was to strengthen cooperation with the Malawi Police.

Image result for Moçambique: Assassinato de albinos preocupa população da Zambézia

“There used to be many cases, with Milange district at the peak in terms of killings, but in recent times the problem has been on the wane as the result of work by the Mozambican police in cooperation with their Malawian counterparts.”

Surveillance should not be confined to Maputo

Human rights activist Sílvio Silva says he values the efforts and work of the authorities, but the problem is that traffickers have more resources than the police.

He issues a warning. “Efforts to combat this phenomenon cannot be confined to Maputo: they must be felt in the hidden areas where the population lives, because albinos don’t live only in urban centres. The other issue has to do with our border in Milange, which is uncontrolled,” he concludes.

Source: Deutsche Welle