Mutharika appoints commission of inquiry to probe person with albinism attacks in Malawi
President Peter Mutharika has appointed an eight-member commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate vital information on the attacks to protect persons with albinism (PWAs) which will be chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Robert Chinangw, SC.
Association of People with Albinism (Apam) petitioned Mutharika to appoint a commission of inquiry and conduct a comprehensive research to trace and identify the alleged source of demand and supply for body parts of PWAs.
The commission is expected to investigate the truth about assumed markets for the targeted body parts of people with albinism, driving factors influencing people to engage in the malpractice, people’s awareness levels on the issue and delays by the justice system to conclude cases involving the victims.
According to a statement by Chief Secretary in the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) Lloyd Muhara seen by Nyasa Times, the commission will “finalise its work and submit a written report to His Excellency the President bybthe 30th April, 2019.”
President Mutharika has appointed other commissioners who include Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe, Abigail Dzimadzi, Grace Massah, Paramount Chief Kawinga, George Jobe, Hilda Soko and commission secretary Brenda Vokhiwa Kapenda.
The statement said the commission is, therefore, inviting members of the public who have knowledge on the attacks with PWAs should contact the inquiry team.
Albinos in Malawi are targeted over false beliefs that their body parts, when used in so-called magic potions, bring wealth and good luck.
Police statistics show that 26 albinos have been killed since 2013, including three in the past two months.
Commentators believe the commission will unveil answers to questions Malawians have on why government is failing to decisively act on the attacks and killings as well as on delays by the courts to conclude cases involving killings of people with albinism.
President Mutharika has also committed K3.1 billion towards the implementation of the Nation Action Plan (NAP) aimed at ending atrocities against persons with albinism, and improving their social welfare for a period of four years, and has since ordered an immediate release of the money towards the cause.
Mutharika, who has of late been talking tough on atrocities against PWAs, has been blamed for simply making podium rants, with little being done on the ground to stop the vice.
Apam president Overstone Kondowe also wants Mutharika to seek, as a matter of urgency, international support to conduct investigations, including specialist support for forensic testing and combating human trafficking, to bring perpetrators of these gross human rights abuses to justice.
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Izizi zidzaoneka mutu wake boma likasintha mu May muno……………….as long as DPP is on the driving seat, forget it!
We should not expect anything tangible from this Commission. It is composed of DPPdie-hards. Everybody knows that Joseph Bvumbwe is a DPP die-hard who has been appointed to chair several parastatal Boards. Who doesn’t know that Sinior Chief Kawinga is a DPP die-hard. It is a waste of resources..
The problem with people is your always hunting for faults.. And for a tinny hint of an issue….. You blow things out of proportion without any sense of rational… How many people are in the commission… And what proportion constitutes the so called Dpp-diehards. R you telling us that whatever party wins the erections next…. should ensure there is no dPp ..or dpp affiliated people in government issues for them to be effective… Then what makes you better than them…. How much do you know about the other individuals in this commission?
Choncho ndalama za ku Malawi azidya ndi okhaokhawo omwe tikuwadziwa ifewo. Kodi iwowo ndiye odziwa ntchitio mwa a Malawi 18 million onsewa?
No northerner in the commission. Muli pheee!
Good move not to include them they may demand yo demonstrate first before they start to work.
Your clueless old man is camping in the north trying to buy the very northerners you are despising
Probably northerners are the ones who are more stupid. Why associate yourself with someone or a party that has absolutely no regard about you.
All the president is doing up north visit one project (water) first in Mzimba, Karonga, Nkhata Bay. But you see foolish northerners all over patronizing rallies
How many commissions of inquiry have been formulated? May be they want to blindfold our brothers and sisters with albinism yet they know the truth behind the motive. Only God knows.
What happened to the task force headed by Dr Heatherwick Ntaba? do we don’t need a commission of inquiry , a total waste of resources!!!
Cashgate was discovered by foreign Auditors. A Malawi Police satithandiza became they get orders from above. No wonder Lule died in prison in the hands of police. They are now busy trying to cover up.
Koma nkhaniyi mwayimvetsesa kapena alembe chi Arabic kuti mumve?
I would like to remind fellow citizens that Commissions of Inquiries are political tools used to bury serious national tragedies. History should remind Malawians of the numerous Inquiries that had happened and results not acted upon. This, in opinion of many is a play with peoples emotions and gross of waste of their time. First Police should tell Malawians what arrested suspects (dead or alive) had revealed to them and why key suspects ended up being killed under their custody. Another concern is is the integrity of some members of Commission. Their reputation among Malawians is poor because they have… Read more »
This is one way they want to dhop or tax, guys let’s be serious pa nkhani za moyo to ya anthu pliz, ikakhala ya anthu opopedwa magazi nde munachita kuyenda khomo ndikhomo koma izizi nde sizukukhudzani bwanji!? Anthu anamangidwawa ndiomwe angatiuze choonadi osati Kumaika so kabungwe kapadera zopusa izi!
This is a demand in the National Plan of Action which SPAM has been fighting for.Panonso mukuti ayi koma …..
How many times has malawi been planning? How many times Did the president talk about this issue? We need action not plans for what? Since the beginning of this brutal issue how many plans did they come to pass? Imagine munthu kumakhala nkumachita Kudziwa kuti am next, is it fair?
But mutharika,why including Bishop Bvumbwe a dpp diehard who is also messing up at Mera as board chairman? This commission will come up with nothing but lies with Bvumbwe in the team. Missed opportunity. Apam dont allow this corrupt fool in the commission. You will achieve nothing believe you me
Nanga mukuti atani? Perekanitu maganizo anu. Mukufuna aike ndani tsopano?I guess you don.t know what you are asking for folks…
The commission is under the direction of a former supreme court judge..The committee will jointly produce a report. Let’s remove these political eyes on anything .Koma pamene palii mtumbuka.
its not APAM report inu. The report is for Malawians to know issues surrounding This issue.
Tell me of an adult in Malawi who does not have a political philosophical liking.?Where would you get one? Chitsiru chamano pansii