Tanzania: Suspects found in possession of albino hand

Written by PETI SIYAME in Sumbawanga.

POLICE in Rukwa Region have arrested nine people for allegedly chopping off the left hand of Mwigulu Matonange (9) who is an albino. They were arrested while in the process of selling it for more than 600m/-.

The suspects disappeared with the hand of the minor who was living with his parent at Msia village along the Lake Rukwa Basin in Sumbawanga District and who is a standard IV pupil at Msia Primary School. Rukwa Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Jacob Mwaruanda said the arrest of the suspects was made possible by a tip off from law abiding citizens, as well as the special police unit which has recently been established to deal with suspects dealing with such trade of selling and buying organs of people with albinism.

Mr Mwaruanda named the two suspects as Weda Mashilimu (27) from Ilemba village in Sumbawanga Distyrict, James Paschal (24) from Majimoto village in Katavi Region and Ibrahimu Tella (27) from Masunula – Usule village in Shinyanga Region. According to the RPC, the alleged suspects were arrested in Tabora Region, as they were busy searching for prospective buyers for the alleged organ.

Mr Mwaruanda further alleged that the trio suspects after interrogation, they mentioned another suspect identified as Nickson Ngalimika alias Kadogo (25), from Ilemba village in Mpanda District, who was arrested in possession of the alleged albino’s organ while in the process of transporting it to Tabora Region.

The RPC mentioned the names of other four suspects as Simon Msabato (32), Ignas Sungura (27), Faraja Jairos (31) alias Mwezi Mpya and Kulwa Mashilimu (29) alias Maarufu who are being interrogated by the law enforcers. According to the RPC, all the suspects will be arraigned in court once preliminary investigations of their case are complete.

Source: Daily News (04/05/2013): http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/17051-suspects-found-in-possession-of-albino-hand