The High Court of Malawi sitting in Phalombe has convicted a couple of killing their 12 year old child with albinism.
The boy identified as Joseph Kachingwe went missing on 6th July last year when he went for independence celebrations with his friends in the area of traditional authority Jenala in the district.
Eight people were arrested in connection with the case and the state applied that two of the accused, Humphrey Eliya and Mary Nankhuku, who are the stepfather and blood mother of the victim respectively should have their case heard separately.
The two were answering the charge of murder which is contrary to section 209 of the penal code. They all pleaded not guilty at the beginning of the case.
The state through its leading prosecutor Samuel Chitsanga paraded four witnesses who testified against the two.
In his judgement on Friday, High Court Judge Sylvester Kalembera said having gone through the evidence presented by the State, the court is convinced that the two were involved in the killing of Kachingwe.
He said Eliya admitted that he know some of the remaining suspects and that mother of the deceased said she agreed that the boy should be sold.
The woman also revealed that the stepfather said on several occasions that he was keeping millions of money in his house, meaning Kachingwe.
Kalembera also said that second state witness told the court that he saw Eliya buying a bottle of frozy juice which was later infested with poison which killed the victim.
He added that looking at the way how people of albinism have been killed in this country, Kachingwe could have faced the same fate.
Kalembera then convicted the two and he has since adjourned the matter to 31st May 2019 for sentencing.
Trial for the other six identified as Patrick Chinawa, Eniphat Chinawa, Biton Tambwali, Steven Chauma, Julius Mkhwayi and Joseph Mankhokwe will start once this one is concluded.
