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Albino girl murdered in Tanzania | Albino girl murdered in Tanzania |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Five people have been arrested in north-western Tanzania for killing a nine-year-old albino girl on Sunday night, police have told the BBC. | Five people have been arrested in north-western Tanzania for killing a nine-year-old albino girl on Sunday night, police have told the BBC. |
Police commander of Kahama district Shaibu Mohamed said the attackers broke down the door to her home and dragged her outside and cut her throat. | |
They chopped off her lower legs and some hair which they made off with. | They chopped off her lower legs and some hair which they made off with. |
About 30 albinos have been killed in Tanzania this year, their parts wanted by witchdoctors for "get rich" potions. | About 30 albinos have been killed in Tanzania this year, their parts wanted by witchdoctors for "get rich" potions. |
The girl's murder - in Segese village - happened hours after President Jakaya Kikwete promised to do more to protect people with albinism. | The girl's murder - in Segese village - happened hours after President Jakaya Kikwete promised to do more to protect people with albinism. |
They used pangas [machetes] completely cutting her two legs and they took some hairs Police commander Shaibu Mohamed | |
He met the organisers of a protest in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, on Sunday, and promised that those behind the killings would be brought to justice. | He met the organisers of a protest in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, on Sunday, and promised that those behind the killings would be brought to justice. |
Mr Mohamed said the attack happened at midnight local time when the family was asleep. Her older sister, who also has albinism, was not touched. | |
"They used pangas [machetes] completely cutting her two legs and they took some hairs; that's why we're of the opinion that this is a killing linked to witchcraft," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. | |
Earlier this year, a BBC reporter in Tanzania posed as a businesswoman who wanted to get rich and went to various witchdoctors. | Earlier this year, a BBC reporter in Tanzania posed as a businesswoman who wanted to get rich and went to various witchdoctors. |
In some cases, she was offered, for a starting price of $2,000, a potion made of an albino's body parts - including legs, hair, hands, and blood - to make her wealthy. | In some cases, she was offered, for a starting price of $2,000, a potion made of an albino's body parts - including legs, hair, hands, and blood - to make her wealthy. |
Albinos in neighbouring Burundi were forced to seek police protection this month after three people with albinism were killed by gangs apparently seeking to sell body parts to Tanzania. | |
Albinism affects one in 20,000 people worldwide, but in Tanzania the prevalence appears to be much higher. | Albinism affects one in 20,000 people worldwide, but in Tanzania the prevalence appears to be much higher. |
The Albino Association of Tanzania says that although just 4,000 albinos are officially registered in the country, they believe the actual number could be as high as 173,000. | The Albino Association of Tanzania says that although just 4,000 albinos are officially registered in the country, they believe the actual number could be as high as 173,000. |
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