By Flora Mitumba

Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has questioned the credibility and integrity of the commission of inquiry on the killings and abductions of persons with albinism instituted by President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Following the brutal killings and abductions of persons with albinism in the country, President Mutharika instituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the cause of these barbaric acts.

Instead of appreciating President Mutharika’s bold step in fighting against killings and abductions of persons with albinism, APAM has expressed a great disappointment and discontent with the instituted commission of inquiry by the president.

In a press statement released on Monday signed by APAM president Overstone Kondowe it has listed out a number of reasons why the body is not contented with the instituted commission of inquiry.

“The composition problem of the Commission of Inquiry in essence leaves APAM to doubt the credibility of the outcome or findings of such a Commission of Inquiry way before it releases a report,” Reads part of the report.

Kondowe said APAM was not consulted when forming the inquiry.

He added that the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry were not made public and were not shared with other relevant authorities in order for the public to appreciate the scope and approaches of the Commission of Inquiry and also to ably assess the work of the Commission of Inquiry in light of the findings to be established.

“The Terms of Reference were supposed to be made public and shared with APAM and other relevant actors,” reads part of the report

APAM further pleaded that the commission of inquiry should be an independent body and no one within the government should interfere with the works of the commission.

He also said that APAM has requested for an independent investigator to probe the matter.

“Unless we have some independent elements, we can’t have an effective investigation or inquiry,”