Govt moves to curb attacks on albinos

Home Affairs minister Mathias Chikawe addresses a news conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.  With him is Inspector General of Police Ernest Mangu

The government has banned witchcraft-related activities and launched a special operation to arrest those linked with the practice.  The move comes after a four-year-old girl was abducted in Mwanza and amid a rise in attacks on albinos.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Mathias Chikawe, told reporters yesterday that enough was enough and the government would be taking tough action against those targeting albinos for purposes of witchcraft. According to Mr Chikawe, the first recorded killing of albinos was in 2006.

A taskforce formed to tackle the matter is expected to travel countrywide consulting street and village leaders on albino killings. Village leaders are expected to offer direction on the local practice of witchcraft.

The taskforce comprises the security agencies and members of the albino community.

“The task force will also conduct campaigns and persuade the people to name those they suspect of practising witchcraft,” Mr Chikawe added.

The operation is due to start in two weeks and the team will start off with visits to the areas most affected, including Mwanza, Simiyu, Geita, Tabora and Shinyanga. The operation will eventually cover the entire country.

Last December 27, armed people invaded a house and kidnapped a four-year-old girl from her home in Ndami Village at around 10pm.

According to Mwanza Regional Police Commander Valentino  Mlowola, a gang armed with machetes and accompanied by a traditional healer raided the family home and fled into the night with her.

Neighbours reported the attack at Kwimba Police Station but the girl was still missing as of yesterday.

Mr Chikawe said the government had declared war on those practising witchcraft and their accomplices.

“We have had a long meeting with various stakeholders including the police and people from Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS),” Mr Chikawe said, “and agreed on several issues to make sure that the albino community enjoys peace and security.”

According to the Minister, the government is also seeking the support of religious leaders since the issue also involves faith and morality.