Category: Location: Malawi

Enelesi Nkhata

No PhotoName: Enelesi Nkhata.
Died: April 14, 2016.
Age at death: 21.
Cause of death: Blood loss.
Location: Kumtumba village, Malawi.
Disability: Albinism.

Details:
Enelesi’s uncle knew that some people would pay a lot of money for the body parts of albinos, and so he made an arrangement with a gang of albino hunters.

Enelesi’s uncle told her that he had found her a job and would find her some sunscreen, both of which can be difficult to get for an albino in Malawi.

Then he lured her to a remote location, where he and his accomplices ambushed and dismembered her. She died of massive blood loss.

Case status:
Gerald Phiri (Uncle), convicted of murder and abduction, sentenced to 17 years.
Other suspects: Medison Madzialenga, Damison Manyoni, Isaac Sambule, Yosofi Samuel, Jazimon Baluwa, Foster Weruzani, Steven Chingombe, and Ronald.

Source:
Albino murders spread to Lilongwe; bones prized for wealth charms
Prejudice against people with albinism in Malawi
Albino murders turn to Dowa

Whitney Chilumpha

No PhotoName: Whitney Chilumpha.
Died: April 4, 2016; body found April 13, 2016.
Age at death: 23 months.
Cause of death: Homicide.
Location: Chiziya village, Malawi.
Disability: Albinism.

Details:
Whitney was kidnapped from her bed; some days later, her body was found. She had been dismembered, her body parts sold for ritual magic.

Case status:
White Chilumpha (Father), convicted of murder, sentenced to death.
James Kanjira, convicted of murder, sentenced to death.
Laston Phiri, convicted of being an accomplice, sentenced to 10 years.

Source:
Two Malawians sentenced to death for abducting and killing baby with albinism
Prejudice against people with albinism in Malawi
Murder of baby with albinism highlights failure to protect vulnerable group
A thief broke into the house and went away with 11 month albino
Police launch campaign against Malawi ‘albino hunters’

Henry Mokoshoni

Photo: Two hands, one adult and dark-brown, one child-size and albino, laid across one another on a mound of dirt.
Harry’s twin brother Harrison lays his hand on Harry’s grave.

Name: Henry Mokoshoni; also called “Hari” or “Harry Mockshon”.
Died: February 26, 2016.
Age at death: 9.
Cause of death: Unspecified homicide.
Location: Mpakati, Machinga District, Malawi.
Disability: Albinism.

Details:
When Henry’s uncle took him from his mother’s house, that was the last time he was seen alive. It’s unknown how Henry died because only his head was ever found.

He leaves behind a twin brother named Harrison, who also has albinism, and a mother and stepfather who still mourn his death.

Case status:
Elias Chatha (Uncle), charged with murder.

Source:
Justice delayed isn’t just | The Nation Online
5 facts about albinism in Malawi
Families push for timely justice on albino cases
Malawi Police net murder suspect on albino child
Albino nine-year-old ‘decapitated’ in Malawi as shoot-to-kill policy fails to prevent ritual killings
STILL ON MATTERS OF COMPROMISED SECURITY
Killed for their bones

Eunice Phiri

No PhotoName: Eunice Phiri.
Died: January 28, 2016.
Age at death: 53.
Cause of death: Blood loss.
Location: Kasungu National Park, Malawi.
Disability: Albinism.

Details:
Eunice’s brother lured her and her 8-year-old son, who also has albinism, out of her home and into a nearby national park. There, they killed her by cutting off her arms. Her 8-year-old son escaped and found his way back home.

Case status:
Msasauko Phiri (Brother), and two others, under investigation.

Source:
Woman with albinism killed in Malawi: no isolated incident
Albino woman murdered in Kasungu: Malawi Police hunt for killers
Malawi: Ritual murders of people with albinism must end

Iblah Pilo

No PhotoName: Iblah (Ibrahim) Pilo.
Died: January 16, 2015.
Age at death: 2.
Cause of death: Missing, presumed dead.
Location: Chimtanda village, Malawi.
Disability: Albinism.

Details:
Iblah’s mother was worried that he would be kidnapped and sold for his body parts, but her husband told her to stay with him, saying that he would protect the little boy.

Days later, Iblah’s mother woke in the night to hear him screaming; he was being kidnapped. She was unable to save him.

Iblah’s body was never found, but it is likely that he was indeed sold for his body parts, which are used in ritual magic. Police arrested his father and two other men.

Case status:
Iblah’s father and two others were charged with kidnapping and burglary, but released due to insufficient evidence.

Source:
Malawi: Killing spree of people with albinism fuelled by ritual practices and policing failures
Prejudice against people with albinism in Malawi