Malawi Govt facing pressure to order inquiry into killing of man with albinism

The Malawi Government is facing pressure to institute a commission of inquiry into the gruesome murder of a person with albinism on New Year’s Eve in Nkhata Bay.

54 year-old Yasin Phiri was butchered in the presence of his nine year old son inside his house at Kande Trading Centre in Nkhata Bay.

Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA) Executive Council Committee chairperson, Anita Hanjahanja made the call during a press briefing in Blantyre on Thursday.

The press briefing was organized in conjunction with the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) and the Law Department at the Chancellor College.

Hanjanja called for immediate measures including instituting an inquiry into the issues surrounding the myths of the body parts of people with albinism and their markets.

On his part the Supervisor for Disability Clinic in the Faculty of Law at Chancellor College Dr. Innocent Chilemba, said there is need for the country to review Anatomy law which regulates possession of human tissues.

APAM Exective Board member Ian Simbota expressed dismay over lack of government’s commitment to end abductions and killings of persons with albinism.

Simbota suggested that the government could have prioritized persons with albinism in the Malawi and Cement Subsidy Program to ensure that they are living in safer and secured houses.

Four people have so far been arrested in connection with the horrific murder and dismembering of Phiri.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *