Rights group Amnesty international has condemned the brutal killing of a 17-year-old boy with albinism, who was choked and hit with a sharp object in southern Malawi.
The teenager, Sunganani Pensulo, was attacked by a renowned businessman Willard Mikayele, becoming the 19th recorded albino to be killed across Malawi since November 2014.
However, reports indicated that the actual number of albinos killed could be much higher, as many cases went unreported due to the secretive nature of ritual practices in rural areas.
According to Nyasa Times, police said the boy was lured with biscuits and juice into the suspect’s house before being brutally killed with a rope.
Mikayele allegedly roped Pensulo’s neck to choke him before hitting him with a sharp object.
“People around the area heard the cries and went to the chief who ordered that the door be broken and the body was found but Mikayele had run away,” police were quoted as saying.
Mikayele was still on the run.
‘Horrific killing’
In a statement, Amnesty International condemned the “barbaric” killing of people living with albinism in the southern Africa country.
The group also called on Malawian authorities to “promptly and thoroughly investigate the horrific killing of Pensulo”.
“Malawian authorities must promptly and thoroughly investigate the horrific killing of Pensulo, and take immediate steps to address the poor policing and failures in the criminal justice system which have led to a climate of impunity for crimes against people with albinism.
“Police and other law enforcement officials should step up their efforts and promptly bring the suspected perpetrator, who is known by the Mlonda Village community, before a competent court of law in a fair trial. The message must be sent that attacks on people with albinism will not be tolerated,” Amnesty International said.
