Malawi Government says is optimistic to end brutal killings of persons with albinism in Malawi through collective efforts by stakeholders and general public despite registering more cases last month.
The call was made yesterday during press briefing aimed at giving highlights on progress made to the national crisis on the abductions, killings and exhumation of the remains of persons with albinism in the country.
The Chairperson of the National Technical Committee on abuse of persons with albinism in Malawi Hetherwick Ntaba made a repeatedly appeal that Malawi needs to join hands to fight against perpetrators of attacks on persons with albinism, thereby, end the atrocities and brutal killings.
He said among other strides to end the barbaric act government under Ministry of Gender, Children Disability and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Association for Persons with Albinism (APAM) on 13th June 2016 organized the International Albinism Awareness Day in Kasungu.
He said: “President Mutharika condemned and declared war against perpetrator of attacks on persons with albinism. Establishment of a police unit at Chilanga School to safeguard the lives of six students with albinism is also remarkable effort”
“Not only that, also the direction the Chief Justice has taken in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu where there are professional magistrates seems to fruit positive results”.
He further, ask people to be alert and stay focused, on abuse of persons with albinism in Malawi.
According to Ntaba, Ministry of Justice special council has a team of prosecutors responsible for handling the homicide cases while the other team is reviewing the sentences for appeal and review of laws.
“I wish to inform the general public that the prosecution team has so far managed to secure the maximum sentence in the State vs Sam Kaomba and Fiskan Mtambo, criminal cases No. 2 of 2015.
Gender Children Disability and Social Welfare Secretary Mary Shawa hailed Media expert for continuing efforts to educate and inform the masses on the evil act.
Meanwhile, she asked media to provide more airplay on awareness on atrocities against persons with albinism.
Shawa said in a same move government have plans to meet Cellphone providers to be sending awareness messages on albinism.
During the press briefing Maravi Post also found that out of 84 cases which were under review and investigation 31 cases are completed, 16 in court for sentence and hearing and 37 stile under investigation level.