Police in Malawi on Tuesday arrested a Catholic priest in Malawi suspected to be connected to the murder of an albino man. Prior to this a police officer and medical official have been detained under suspicion.
James Kadadzela, the national police spokesman said: “The arrest of the bishop brings the number of the suspects to 12, and, depending on our investigations, more suspects might be arrested.”
The unfortunate albino McDonald Masambuka who was 22 years old, was found on April 1 (Sunday) in Machinga district in southern Malawi, missing several bones and a leg.
Superstitions in some African countries relay that body parts of those with albinism, a disorder that causes lack of skin pigmentation, have magical powers.
Many albinos have been killed for their body parts for use in witchcraft.
Father Thomas Muhosha, the detained priest, has been suspended from his diocese pending the conclusion of the case.
The diocese expressed “profound shock” at the allegations in a statement.
Overstone Kondowe, the Head of the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi, has said “the alleged involvement of professionals such as police officers in the case shows that albino murders are not a matter of ignorance, but are driven by monetary greed.”
In Malawi, some 20 people with albinism have been killed and abducted since 2014, according to the association.