Federation for Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA) has called on government to institute a Commission of Enquiry to establish the truth on the killings of people with albinism if rights of persons with disabilities are to be upheld.
Executive Director for FEDOMA, Action Amos, made the proposition Tuesday at Chitekesa Primary School in Phalombe during a community sensitization meeting aimed at mobilising citizens to protect people with disabilities and promote their rights.
Speaking in an interview , Amos said his organisation was shocked with the recent abduction of Joseph Kachingwe, 12, a boy with albinism from Lungazi Village in Traditional Authority Jenala in the district who went missing on Independence Day.
Speaking in an interview , Amos said his organisation was shocked with the recent abduction of Joseph Kachingwe, 12, a boy with albinism from Lungazi Village in Traditional Authority Jenala in the district who went missing on Independence Day.
“We are dismayed to note that some Malawians continue to view people with albinism in odd ways even after we have conducted a series of sensitization meetings against the killings of the said people.
FEDOMA Chairman: Amos
“We, therefore, call for a commission of enquiry to expedite investigations surrounding this myth about people living with albinism,” said Amos.
Amos also called on the police to conduct comprehensive investigation into the Kachingwe case so that every suspect in the abduction of the child is booked.
In his reaction, Chairperson for Phalombe District Council, Kalepa Mawere, who was guest of honour at the event, emphasized on the need for everyone to observe the rights of people with disabilities.
Mawere urged law enforcers to ensure that they are not siding with criminals, especially those perpetrating crimes against people with albinism.
“We are in the time where a lot of people neglect the laws of the country just because of greed; as such, we would like to ask the police to be vigilant and not spare anyone involved in evil acts,” Mawere appealed.
Phalombe Police Station is keeping in custody five suspects linked with the disappearance of little Kachingwe.
The five suspects include his mother Mary Nankhuku, 43, step father Humphrey Elia, 29, uncle to his mother Beaton Tabwali, 63, Eniphat Chinawa, 35 and Patrick Chinawa, 38, all from Traditional Authority Jenala in the district.
