Nineteen people have been sentenced to death after they were convicted of killing albinos, Parliament was told here yesterday.
Dodoma. Nineteen people have been sentenced to death after they were convicted of killing albinos, Parliament was told here yesterday.
These are among 133 people who were arrested and charged with the offence between 2006 and last year, Home Affairs deputy minister Hamad Yussuf Masauni said.
Mr Masauni was responding to a question from Ms Mgeni Jadi Kadika (Special Seats — CUF) who wanted to know the government’s plans for safeguarding albinos.
Ms Kadika noted in her question that albinos had been living in great fear as a result of some people targeting them on witchcraft-related beliefs.
Mr Masauni said the government had over the years heightened security for albinos.
He listed some of the steps taken to safeguard the marginalised group of people as including investigating all attacks against albinos and taking legal action against the perpetrators.
He said the government had also established special centres for albinos which, he said, ensured they lived in safe hands. “The Police Force has, through the community policing initiative, also been providing public education on effects of the albino killings and what could be done to safeguard them,” he explained. The Police Force had also been conducting special operations targeting people engaged in albino killings including traditional healers.
“The ministry has through the Police Force, village, ward, district and regional peace and security committees been establishing task forces for ensuring security of the albinos, especially in hard hit regions and districts,” he said.
