BY NANGAYI GUYSON IN KAMPALA UGANDA ,E.AFRICA
Police in Tanzania have arrested a Kenyan national for attempting to sell an albino man at $250,000 (£159,000)
The arrest was made in a sting operation as police pretended to be businessmen buying albino body parts.
According to the Tanzanian police a 28-year-old Kenyan man, Nathan Mutei, was arrested just outside the town of Mwanza as he attempted to sell an albino man.
Simon Siro ,regional police commander,, told the BBC that Mr Mutei had tricked a fellow Kenyan into believing he would secure a job in Tanzania as a truck driver’s assistant.
But the police said Mr Mutei had secretly tried to find businessmen willing to buy 20-year-old Robinson Mkwama. The police commander said they had posed as potential buyers in order to make the arrest.
Over the last three years more than 50 albino adults and children have been killed. The Tanzanian government promised to take action, and there have been some court cases.
But justice is slow. So far, just seven men have been given death sentences.
The number of albino killings has fallen, but the fear is still strong. African albinos are also under threat from skin cancer and for that reason they rarely live beyond the age of 40.
In Africa,mostly in Tanzania, the body parts of people living with albinism are used by witchdoctors for potions which they tell clients will help make them rich or healthy . The Tanzanian government has promised to take action.
Mr Mutei is due in court on Wednesday to charges of human trafficking.
ENDS
Leave Your Comments