Albinism Killings: Malawi's Mutharika calls for dialogue on death penalty

Peter Mutharika

Peter Mutharika

Malawi President, Peter Mutharika

President Peter Mutharika of Malawi has asked for an honest national dialogue on implementation of death penalty following the resurfacing of brutal killings of people with albinism.

Mutharika’s request came barely a day after the UN strongly condemned the resurfacing killing of people with
albinism in the southern African developing country following the recent brutal killing of a 22 year old man with albinism in eastern district of Machinga.

In a statement UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Maria Jose Torres, described the trend as retrogressive and urged
partners to redouble their efforts in increasing awareness to the people.

Reacting to the same through a press statement signed by his Press Secretary and Spokesperson, Mgeme Kalilani,
Mutharika expressed shock and sadness and called for dialogue on implementation of death penalty.

“This depressing development is happening at a time government has made tremendous progress in efforts to stop
such barbarous acts and the latest of these hideous attacks is the abduction and subsequent murder of Mr McDonald Masambuka,” Mutharika said.

“…the President is asking for an honest national dialogue on whether the country should start implementing the
death penalty or not on individuals sentenced to death for murder.”

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Mutharika said he was aware that there were some stakeholders who passionately felt that implementing the death
penalty on individuals sentenced to death could prevent others from attacking persons with albinism.

He assured the public that the government will dig deep into the abduction and murder of Masambuka to ensure that
all suspects are brought to book regardless of their social status.

The 22-year-old Masambuka went missing mid-March 2018 and his body was found on April 2 buried in a shallow grave
with some parts missing.

Malawi Police Service have since arrested seven suspects including a police officer and a health worker at the
district’s hospital.

Over 120 cases of attacks on people with albinism have been recorded in Malawi since 2014 and out of these cases over 20 people were brutally murdered.

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