Tanzania: Four Sentenced To Death For Killing Albino

A court in Dar Es Salaam, has sentenced four
Tanzanians to death after being found guilty of
murdering an albino woman.
They were said to have killed the woman in 2008,
because they believed her body parts had special
powers, according to the judge in north-western
town of Geita.
The 22-year-old victim, Zawadi Mangidu, whose
husband is one of those convicted, left behind a
nine-month-old child.
President Jakaya Kikwete, had earlier in the week,
vowed to tackle the killing of albinos, who are
targeted for superstitious reasons.
The country is struggling to curb a wave of
violence against people with albinism – a
condition that affects the production of skin
pigment.
Witchdoctors say potions made from albino body
parts can bring good luck and wealth.
The president said such beliefs are false and fuel
an “ongoing evil” which had shamed the East
African nation.
The latest court ruling comes a few weeks after a
one-year-old albino boy was killed in the same
region.
The government banned witchdoctors in January
as part of its efforts to prevent further attacks
and kidnappings targeting albinos.
According to the Red Cross, witchdoctors are
prepared to pay $75,000 (£50,000) for a complete
set of albino body parts.
At least 75 people living with albinism in Tanzania
have been killed in targeted attacks since 2000.
Albinism is particularly prevalent in Tanzania with
one in 1,400 affected, according to a 2006 Public
Health report. This compares with one in 20,000
in Western countries.
Some researchers believe the higher rate is due to
inbreeding.
Residents expressed optimism that if the
execution is carried out, it will serve as a
deterrent to others.

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