Albino killers sentenced to death

onnaedo

March 5, 2015 6:23 PM

The four had killed the 22-year-old woman in 2008 because they believed her body parts had special powers, according to the case' judge.

Four albino killers in Tanzania have been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murder. This is according to BBC.

The victim, Zawadi Mangidu, left behind a 9-month-old child, while her husband is one of those convicted.

Earlier this week, Tanzanian president, Jakaya Kikwete had vowed to tackle the killing of albinos, who are targeted for superstitious reasons.

It is not yet certain if the four will get the death sentence as Tanzania has had a moratorium on executions since 1994.

There is a high prevalence of albino murders in Tanzania as some are of the belief that their body parts can bring good luck and wealth, to this end the country is struggling to curb the wave of violence against people with albinism.

The Red Cross reports that witch doctors are prepared to pay $75,000 (about N14 million) for a complete set of albino body parts.

In January, the government banned witch doctors as part of its efforts to prevent further attacks and kidnappings targeting albinos.

No fewer than 75 people living with albinism in Tanzania have been killed in targeted attacks since 2000.

The condition is particularly prevalent in Tanzania with one in 1,400 people affected, according to a 2006 BMC Public Health report. This compares with one in 20,000 in Western countries.

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