55 cases of albino attacks recorded this year

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Police

Malawi has registered 55 cases of attacks against people with albinism in 2016, according to reports.

The Association of People with Albinism (APAM) which released the figures, said the attacks involves cases of albino killings, attempted killings, abductions, attempted abductions and exhumation of albino dead bodies.

PoliceAPAM executive member Alex Machila  has since called on the country’s security forces to pull up their socks in dealing with the horrifying ordeals that people with albinism are experiencing.

“Looking at the statistics that the association has in record, it only shows that there is need for the Malawi Police Service to step up security in all areas such as Machinga, Zomba, Mulanje susceptible to albino killings and abductions.

“This will ensure that persons living with albinism are protected just like any other persons,” he said.

Machila also suggested that blatant disregard for the law by thugs who attack stems from the belief that they will not be handed stiff punishments in court. He proposed that prosecutors should come up with proper charges for the thugs.

On his part, Southern Region Police Public Relations officer, James Kadadzera, claimed that the police have devised different security measures which include sensitisation campaigns to the public to advocate for the rights of albinos.