Cry from Zimbabwe: Let us stop child sacrifice

The following plea and and cry from Zimbabwe, following the ritual murder of Tapiwa Makore (7), and the two cousins Delan (7) and Melissa (7), is long overdue but 100% warranted. Child sacrifice and more general human sacrifice is not a rare phenomenon in Zimbabwe, neither is it in a number of other countries in Sub-Sahara Africa. The gruesome murders have recently led to a general campaign to stop child sacrifice, the 777 Campaign. It goes without saying that I join this initiative.

Warning: the following article contains graphic details of ritual killing of children (FVDK).

Let us stop child sacrifice

Published: April 27, 2021
By: Bulawayo 24, Heaven Munyuki   

The death of a child of any age is devastating. The pain and anguish can be compounded when the death comes at the hands of another human being. Parents and family members can face many complicated issues, even as they try to make sense of the incomprehensible – that someone knowingly, willingly or intentionally killed their child.

Children are gifts from God,  they are precious and bundles of joy. Birth of children represent generational continuity and procreation is devine as God commanded: Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Mwanachipo Africa Trust is a local NGO that works with people who are infertile and childless. As people who are infertile and childless, we are pained most when these gifts we are failing to get are hurt or ill treated and when they are murdered, our hearts are pierced. We are hurt most because, some of us have undergone unimaginable ordeals and forked huge sums of money in trying to bear children whilst heartless people and cowards, who prey on vulnerable children, are busy chopping off their heads and mutilating their bodies. To us, killing of children for whatever reason is termination of generational continuity and destruction of families instead of growing and expanding them.

The recent surge in ritual killings and murder cases  of children in Zimbabwe is not only worrisome but also inhumane and horrifying.The gruesome murder of Tapiwa Makore (7) of Murehwa who was buried without a head and the recent heinous killings of two Benza cousins Delan (7) and Melissa (7) of central Mutasa  by uncles should not go unchallenged. These brutal killings have prompted Mwanachipo to initiate the Stop Child Sacrifice:The 777 Campaign.

The 777 Campaign is in honour of the 3 slain innocent children (Tapiwa, Delan and Mellisa) who were all murdered aged 7 and the suspected ritual killers being uncles. Tapiwa was fed with food and later drugged with Kachasu( traditional illicit beer) before being brutally killed in a mountain. His torso was found the following morning being dragged by dogs and his head is nowhere to be found up to this day. Mellisa and Delan’s remains were found stashed in a toilet pit.

These gruesome murders are targeted mainly at children for ritual purposes. Vulnerable, innocent children are mutilated and murdered by ruthless and criminal people who want to increase their wealth, health, power or reputation – by all means. Like Tapiwa, Delan and Mellisa, a lot of children have fallen victim to murderers and ritual killers. Due to their vulnerability, they are easily abducted on their way to or from school or when conducting their daily home activities such as fetching water and collecting firewood. Children are the main victims because they are considered pure or unblemished ,easy to lure and their blood sacrifice is considered more powerful than that of adults as children represent new life, prosperity and growth to the one procuring the sacrifice. They are sacrificed by witch doctors to appease ‘the gods’ and bring a myriad of solutions which include wealth, good health and political power  among others.Adults drawn to the practice are tricked into believing that the purity of child makes the ritual more powerful.
Hearts, ears, livers and genitals are considered as key ingredients of the rituals.These body parts are said to be removed when children are still alive and they die as a result of bleeding or are killed by the murderers to conceal evidence.

The repeated occurrences of these ritual killings is a blatant violation of UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and Convention on
the Rights of the Child (CRC) of 1989. The CRC applies to
all children below the age of 18, and contains 54
articles covering almost all aspects of the life of a child.More so, this child sacrifice violates the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. According to this charter, an individual is entitled to respect for his life and integrity of his person.

Biblically, God sanctified life.This  means that human life is sacred ( made in the very image of the Creator himself according to Genesis 1:26-27), holy and precious. The sanctity of life is inherent as man cannot create life. Therefore, man has no authority to destroy life including the life of children. God chooses when life begins and ends and murder in all its forms is forbidden. It is the only way for humankind to exist.

Through the Stop Child Sacrifice: 777 Campaign , Mwanachipo Africa Trust is mobilising resources to be used to prevent  sacrifice of children.
 Our children are not safe until every child is safe.
Let us join hands to end child sacrifice. Everyone is duty bound to protect every child.Be part of the change which starts with all of us.Together we can make Zimbabwe a safer country for our children.

Pasi nekuchekeresa vana!
Stop child sacrifice!
Yekelani ukunikela ngabantwana libabulala!
#ChildrenAreNotSafeUntilEveryChildIsSafe

(Other organisations and individuals who wish to join us in this campaign can contact us on +263718745374 mwanachipoafricatrust@gmail.com)

Source: Let us stop child sacrifice


Zimbabwe: Mwenezi girl (6) killed in suspected ritual murder

Allegedly, another case of ritual murder in Zimbabwe. A 6-year-old girl brutally murdered in Mwenezi, for apparent superstitious reasons. Zimbabwe has not yet recovered from one of its most notorious ritual murder cases in its recent history – the murder of 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore, in Murehwa village, in September 2020, extensively covered on this site – and of the cruel murder of a juvenile in Gokomere, Masvingo last month.

It is difficult to say whether there is in increase in ritualistic activities and murders in Zimbabwe or – also a likely explanation – there is an increased attention of local and regional authorities as well as the press – for this type of crimes and to report actual or suspected incidents. 
(Webmaster FVDK)

Mwenezi girl (6) killed in suspected ritual murder

Published: January 2, 2021
By: ZBC News, Zimbabwe – Justin Mahlahla 

In a yet another case of ritual murder, two men from Mwenezi allegedly murdered a six-year-old girl and burnt her body after removing her private parts.

This comes after the dust has hardly settled following the murder of a 7-year-old Murehwa boy, Tapiwa Makore, which was followed by another gruesome murder of a juvenile in Gokomere, Masvingo last month, yet another murder case of a minor has been recorded in Mwenezi.

The suspects, Taruziva Sithole (37) and Shackmore Dube (26), have since appeared in court to answer to murder charges following an incident which happened on the 29th of December, 2020.

The deceased, Irene Sithole, allegedly died after being assaulted by her uncle, Taruziva Sithole, who is said to have carried the body to a nearby bush where Shackmore Dube allegedly cut off the deceased’s private parts.

The two accused allegedly burnt the deceased’s body using firewood and were arrested after villagers reported the matter to Mwenezi police.

Police officers found the deceased’s burnt skull, teeth and ribs at the crime scene.

The two accused persons were remanded in custody to the 14th of January 2021.

Source: Mwenezi girl (6) killed in suspected ritual murder

Tanzania: Girl, 7, found dead as child killers spill more blood

Published: February 3, 2019
By: Godfrey Kahango @TheCitizenTz news@thecitizen.co.tz

Matembwe villagers in Njombe District prepare to lower the coffin carrying the body of Racheal Malekela in the grave during her burial yesterday. She was killed by unidentified people on Friday night. PHOTO | GODFREY KAHANGO 

Njombe. Another child, Rachael Malekela was found dead on Friday night at Matembwe Village in Njombe District as the spate of reported ‘ritual’ could killings and appearances continues to rock the area. More below.

Another example of ‘mob justice’ – another sign of a weak state and ‘rule of law’

Source: Girl, 7, found dead as child killers spill more blood

Related article:
4 killed over suspicion of ‘murdering’ 7 year old girl in Njombe

Published: February 2, 2019
By: Godfrey Kahango @TheCitizenTz gkahango@tz.nationmedia.com

Related article:
Njombe mother appeals for help to find missing son
Published: February 2, 2019
By: Godfrey Kahango @TheCitizenTz gkahango@tz.nationmedia.com

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Another related article:
Child killings in Njombe associated with witchcraft beliefs, says government
Published: January 30, 2019
By: Alex Malanga @ChiefMalanga amalanga@tz.nationmedia.com

Home affairs minister Mr Kangi Lugola 

Related:
UN condemns killing of children in Tanzania
Published: January 29, 2019
By: The Citizen Reporter @TheCitizenTz news@tz.nationmedia.com

UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania Mr Alvaro Rodriguez
Freedom of fear is a human right. The rule of law an obligation of the state
(Webmaster FVDK)

Related:
Tanzania: How family lost three children in suspected ritual killings
Published: January 29, 2019
By: The Citizen Reporter @TheCitizenTZ news@tz.nationmedia.com

Njombe Region – Tanzania

Tanzania: 10 kidnapped children found dead with missing body parts

Published: January 28, 2019
By: Bukola Adebayo – CNN

Ten children kidnapped in Tanzania have been found dead with their body parts mutilated, authorities told CNN on Monday.

Tanzania’s deputy health minister Faustine Ndugulile said all 10 children had been missing since December in Njombe district, southwest Tanzania. Their bodies were discovered last week after police launched a search operation in the area.

“So far, we have found 10 bodies, and most of their private parts and teeth had been removed,” Ndugulile said. “These murders are linked to witchcraft practices because that is the trend for such crimes, where herbalists ask people to get these human parts for money rituals,” he added. The children, some as young as seven, were kidnapped from their homes last month.

Many children have been reported missing by their parents in the community since December, according to Ndugulile, who said the health ministry was also investigating the wave of killings. “We want to identify the perpetrators, but our focus is to educate the traditional practitioners in the area quickly and those in surrounding communities on the need to stop these acts,” Ndugulile told CNN.

The Deputy health minister told CNN that these killings are not linked albino ritual murders which are prevalent in Tanzania and other parts of east Africa. “These murders are not linked to albino killings,” he said. “But it is very sad because they are children and they don’t deserve to be used like this,” Ndugulile said.

Tanzania has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world, at one in 1,500 people. 

Despite its prevalence, there’s still a lack of education and tolerance and albinos are regularly killed for their bones and organs, which are sold to witch doctors for “charms and magical potions”, according to Amnesty International.

Source: 10 kidnapped children found dead in Tanzania with missing body parts, ministry says

Related articles:

10 Kidnapped Children Found Dead in Tanzania With Missing Body Parts, Officials Say
Published: January 29, 2019
By: Jack Phillips – The Epoch Times

Ritual killing: Bodies of 10 children found with missing limbs, teeth
Piublished: January 29, 2019
By: Standard – Kenya

EDITORIAL: Solve and deter Njombe kind of child murders
Published: January 29, 2019
By: The Citizen, Tanzania

Ten children in Tanzania kidnapped and killed for their body parts, authorities say
Published: January 30, 2019
By: Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News

Witchcraft horror: Tanzania children have genitals and tongues cut off in ritual killing
Published: January 30, 2019
By: Ciaran McGrath – Express

Njombe Region, Tanzania

Liberia: More women in ritualistic killings in Sinoe County

As I continue to say, both on this site and on my website Liberia Past and Present, the phenomenon of ritual killings has never completely disappeared in Liberia. Originally a cultural practice, nowadays it is closely linked to politics, elections and the greed for (more) wealth and power.  At this particular moment in time it is not known what the background and linkages are of the ritualistic killings in Sinoe County disclosed here by County Attorney Cllr. J. Adolphus Karnuah. As soon as we learn more about these cases we will come back with the relevant news. (FVDK)

For more details on Liberia’s history of ritual murders, see Ritual Killings in Liberia: From Cultural Phenomenon to Political Instrument

Flashback: Scene of the most famous ritualistic killing ever in Liberian history that occurred in Maryland County in the 1970s

Published: January 25, 2019
By: The New Dawn

County Attorney for Sinoe Cllr. J. Adolphus Karnuah has disclosed that more women have been caught for ritualistic killings in Sinoe County, southeast Liberia.

Speaking to a team of journalists at the Temple of Justice on Thursday, 24 January, Cllr. Karnuah disclosed that cases of ritualistic killings have topped the docket.

He narrates that six out of 20 women were arrested by police officers, charged and placed behind bars for the alleged crime of ritualistic killings.

Cllr. Karnuah tells the interview that during the police raid, the key perpetrator was arrested, but she was very boastful in her utterances, noting that the matter would end up nowhere.

According to Cllr. Karnuah, the issue of ritualistic killing is said to be taking place in January this year in the district of Numorpor which has its own superintendent and other county officials.

According to him, one of the ritualistic killing incidents took place when the mother of a little boy left him on the farm to go out to fetch some pepper, bitter balls and other food substances for cooking.

He says upon the lady’s arrival, she realized that her son was missing.

Cllr. Karnuah explains that after days of searching without a trace of the missing boy, his father decided to use the help of a herbalist.

The lawyer says upon the father’s return, his wife was said to be part of the crime.

The county attorney says the mother made confession that she was part of the devilish club and it was now time for her to give her own son as a share of her sacrifice.
But he says the lady escaped along with three other women who also confessed to be witchcrafts.

He notes that while the women were in the bush, they were pursued by some men in the community who caught and stripped them naked and gang raped them until one of the ladies identified as Wallet Nyenweh was allegedly killed in the process.

The lawyer narrates that during the trial, he ordered the body of the dead woman exhumed in other to prove the alleged gang rape which was said to have caused her death.

Source: 
https://thenewdawnliberia.com/more-women-in-ritualistic-killings-in-sinoe/

Kenya: body of missing Siaya boy found in bush, genitals chopped off

Published: January 15, 2019 at 10:59 EAT
By: Isaiah Gwengi

Residents of Bondo at site of the scene

Police in Bondo on Sunday recovered the body of a seven-year-old boy who had been missing for two days. 

The body of Geoffrey Otieno was found dumped in a bush at Pap-Komenya, less than a kilometre from Usenge town.​ 

Usenge assistant chief Manase Osuri said police were informed of the body’s whereabouts after children who had noticed foul smell coming from the bush found it.

“The body was moved to Bondo sub-county hospital mortuary after the family identified it,” said Mr Osuri. 

The administrator, who termed the incident shocking, said police were investigating the boy’s killing. 

“From what we have gathered, the boy could have been murdered elsewhere and his body dumped in the bush. We also suspect it could be a case of ritual killing, as the boy’s genitals have been chopped off,” said Osuri.

He urged parents to monitor movements of their children to prevent such incidences. 

Very careful 

“This shows there are criminals among us. We must be very careful, especially those who send their children to school without escorting them,” said Osuri.

Otieno, a Standard One pupil, was playing with other children when he allegedly went missing. 

His mother, Molly Ouma, said they searched for him in the entire estate but did not find him. 

“I became suspicious when my son did not return home by 7pm. After searching for him for more than four hours, I decided to report his disappearance to the police,” said Ms Ouma. 

Otieno’s killing rekindled memories of suspected ritual killings. 

Five years ago, a 20-year-old man was killed and his mutilated body found dumped in a bush at Sanda village, sparking protests. 

Bondo OCPD Harriet Kinya said they had launched investigations into the matter. The officer said they would not rest until they apprehend those behind Otieno’s killing.

Source: Body of missing Siaya boy found in bush, genitals chopped off

Gabon: youngster victim of ritual sacrifice in Koula-Moutou

The year 2018 ended badly for a 10-year old boy in Ogooué-Lolo province in Gabon. Ravel Dinga was reported missing at Christmas. His parents had been desperately looking for him. On January 3, 2019 a man who was collecting fruits in the woods nearby Ravel’s home-town Koula-Moutou found his dead body, mutilated.  The perpetrators of this horrible act had left the body of Ravel in a shallow pool of water in an attempt to make the murder look like a drowning.  When the victim was found, his ears, eyes, tongue and penis were missing. 
(…..)

The original article, in French, contains many more details which I have left out here. I also omitted a very graphic picture of the deceased. Readers are hereby warned that the original article – following the link (‘Source) below – does contain this gruesome picture.  
(webmaster FVDK)

Gabon: un adolescent sacrifié à Koula-Moutou

Published: January 4, 2019
By: Matin d’Afrique / Jonas Moulenda

Vision d’horreur jeudi dans une forêt près du chef-lieu de la province de l’Ogooué-Lolo (sud-est du Gabon). Le corps d’un garçon de 10 ans y a été retrouvé par un homme qui se rendait en brousse pour y chercher des fruits.

The small boy Ravel Dinga had disappeared at Christmas Day 2018 from his home in Koula-Moutou

Le petit Raven Diba, 10 ans, était recherché par ses parents depuis plus d’une semaine. Il avait disparu du domicile familial à Koula-Moutou en fête de Noël. Son corps a été retrouvé dans une forêt environnante jeudi par un homme qui se rendait dans en brousse pour y chercher des fruits.

L’auteur de l’effroyable découverte a aussitôt rebroussé chemin pour aller alerter les autorités judiciaires. Dès la première alerte, l’antenne provinciale de la Police judiciaire (PJ) et la brigade de gendarmerie se sont transportées sur les lieux. Les agents n’ont fait que constater la présence macabre.

Le corps était en décubitus ventral, trempé dans une flaque d’eau non profonde. Lorsque le macchabée a été repêché, les enquêteurs ont découvert des signes de mutilation. Selon une source proche de l’enquête, l’adolescent aurait été délesté de certaines parties corporelles, à savoir les oreilles, la langue, les yeux, le sexe, etc.

Le corps de l’adolescent a été jeté dans une flaque d’eau pour simuler une noyade (la photo du corps a été jugée trop terrible pour inclure ici, mais  – AVERTISSEMENT – elle se trouve dans l’article original – FVDK).

Vraisemblablement, il a été supplicié lors d’un rituel satanique. D’après une source médicale, le corps présentait de traces de violence jusqu’à la partie anale. Ce qui crédibilise la thèse d’un viol satanique, avant sa douloureuse mise à mort par ses bourreaux.

A en croire nos sources, la découverte du corps du petit Raven Diba a été précédée d’intenses recherches menées par ses parents et les autorités judiciaires locales. Tous les espaces avaient été ratissés, fors le bois théâtre de la macabre découverte. Mais les enquêteurs se perdaient sur les traces du petit garçon.

Les assassinats avec prélèvement d’organes sont souvent commandités par des cadres du coin 

Devant ce qui apparaissait comme un mystère, a rapporté une source, la famille du petit Diba a mis à contribution des voyants qui font la réputation de la région. Ces sommités spirituelles avaient révélé que l’enfant était gardé en captivité dans une maison d’un riverain, en attendant sa mise à mort programmée.

A la suite de ces révélations, les proches du disparu ont proposé la fouille de toutes les maisons environnantes. Mais un auxiliaire de l’administration, visiblement gêné aux entournures, s’y est farouchement opposé. « Le chef du quartier s’est curieusement opposé à cette option. Or, on pouvait sauver cet enfant si on avait fouillé toutes les maisons du quartier », a déploré une source proche du dossier.

C’est probablement après le scabreux sacrifice humain que le corps de la victime a été jeté dans une flaque d’eau située dans une forêt environnante pour simuler une mort accidentelle. Mais cette thèse ne semble pas convaincre la famille de l’adolescent et les enquêteurs, le cours d’eau théâtre de la macabre découverte n’étant pas profond. Il s’agit manifestement d’un sac d’embrouilles.

Koula-Moutou et d’autres localités de l’Ogooué-Lolo sont des terreaux des assassinats avec prélèvement d’organes, pompeusement appelés crimes rituels. Les cadres de la localité, en quête de promotion politique ou de maintien à des postes juteux, passent souvent des commandes d’organes depuis leurs bureaux feutrés. Malgré les dénonciations faites par des lampistes, les commanditaires de ces crimes effroyables ne sont jamais inquiétés par la justice.

Source: Gabon: un adolescent sacrifié à Koula-Moutou

Koulamoutou (or Koula-Moutou) is the capital of Ogooué-Lolo Province in central Gabon, with a population of around 16,000 people.

Mali: Salif Keïta rejects the tragic fate of albinos “sold in pieces”

Salif Keïta dénonce le sort tragique des albinos «vendus en pièces détachées»

Salif Keita rejects the tragic fate of albinos “sold in pieces”

Malian singer Salif Keïta at a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 25, 2015 ringing alarm bells about the tragic fate of albinos in Tanzania where presidential elections will be held shortly. Le chanteur malien Salif Keïta, lors d’une conférence de presse à Naïrobi (Kenya) le 25 août 2015. Il avait tiré la sonnette d’alarme sur le sort tragique des albinos en Tanzanie à la veille des élections présidentielles dans ce pays.

Published: September 21, 2018 – 2:48 PM
By: Martin Mateso

There is no reason to lean back even though the disaster is widespread, repeats Malian singer Salif Keïta. He prepares an international conference on the tragic fate albinos are facing, planned for November 2018 in Bamako, Mali. Everywhere on the African continent, people with albinism are being chased by ruthless criminals who commit their heinous crimes unpunished.

Salif Keïta is still in shock after the ritualistic killing of a 5-year old Malian girl, Ramata Diarra, who was abducted by armed men who beheaded her, in Fana (Mali) on May 13, 2018 and fled with her head.

Ritual murders that go unpunished

A suspect was arrested but the authorities have never published the results of the investigation held after the murder of Ramata Diarra. For this reason the Malian singer is worried. He fears that in the end this crime will be another murder case that will never be solved.

(…) “Each time when elections are being held, two, three, even more than ten albinos disappear” Salif Keïta accuses. (…)

Translated by the webmaster FVDK.

The original article, in French, is much longer and reads as follows:

Il n’est pas question de baisser les bras malgré l’ampleur du désastre, martèle le chanteur malien Salif Keita. Il prépare, pour le mois de novembre 2018 à Bamako, un forum international sur le sort tragique des albinos, décimés aux quatre coins du continent africain, en toute impunité.

Salif Keita est encore sous le choc depuis qu’une fillette malienne de 5 ans, Ramata Diarra, a été enlevée par des hommes armés qui l’ont éventrée et décapitée, le 13 mai 2018 à Fana, dans le centre du Mali. Sa tête a été emportée par ses ravisseurs.

Des crimes rituels qui restent impunis
Un suspect a été arrêté par la police, mais aucune suite de l’enquête n’a été rendue publique. D’où l’inquiétude du chanteur malien. Il a peur que ce crime s’ajoute à une série d’autres dont les enquêtes n’ont jamais abouti.

«Les albinos veulent vivre sans être poursuivis, sans être vendus en pièces détachées… Nous comptons sur les avocats extérieurs, pas sur les avocats maliens pour nous aider à creuser ce problème. Nous allons nous battre pour cela», a-t-il déclaré à la presse en lançant une campagne de sensibilisation sur l’albinisme.

Des Noirs à la peau blanche
Salif Keita est lui-même atteint d’albinisme, une maladie héréditaire qui provoque une absence partielle ou totale de pigmentation de la peau, des cheveux et des yeux. Des Noirs à la peau blanche perçus comme une malédiction.

Les personnes albinos font l’objet de crimes rituels perpétrés par ceux qui leur attribuent des pouvoirs magiques. Leurs organes sont particulièrement recherchés lors des élections par ceux qui sont convaincus qu’il s’agit d’arracher le membre d’un albinos pour remporter un scrutin. Le calvaire de la petite Ramara Diarra a précédé de peu l’élection présidentielle malienne organisée en juillet et en août 2018.

«Chaque fois qu’il y a des élections, il y a deux, trois, voire une dizaine d’albinos qui disparaissent», s’insurge Salif Keita.

Salif Keita, la voix des albinos
Depuis plusieurs années, le chanteur malien lutte contre la folie meurtrière qui frappe les albinos. Il a créé en 2006 la Fondation Salif Keita pour défendre leur cause. La campagne qu’il vient de lancer, en partenariat avec d’autres associations maliennes et ouest-africaines, vise à changer le comportement de ses compatriotes envers les personnes qui vivent avec cette anomalie.

Salif Keita a lui-même été discriminé, méprisé, injurié et humilié avant de se réfugier dans la musique et de connaître un succès international. Il est devenu la voix des albinos à travers le monde et particulièrement en Afrique où il se bat pour leur protection et leur insertion sociale.

«Il est inacceptable que des êtres humains en sacrifient d’autres. C’est le produit de l’ignorance. Les albinos naissent et grandissent comme tout le monde. Ils ont besoin d’être aimés et considérées comme des personnes normales», avait-il confié à l’AFP lors d’une visite en Afrique de l’Est en août 2015.

Salif Keita achevait une visite en Tanzanie où des hommes politiques sont régulièrement accusés d’acheter des membres d’albinos pour faire de la sorcellerie ou pour fabriquer des porte-bonheurs. Selon des experts des Nations Unies, leurs membres sont négociés aux alentours de 600 dollars. Les corps entiers pouvant atteindre 75.000 dollars.

Dans la vidéo ci-dessous, Salif Keita raconte son enfance difficile et le combat qu’il a dû mener dans une société qui le tenait à l’écart (Les albinos d’Afrique, victimes de croyances archaïques, un sujet réalisé par Eleonore Abou Ez pour France Info).

The above illustration is a screenshot of the original. No link attached. Please follow the link in the original article – see “Source” below – to view the video (in French). In the video, Salif Keïta speaks out about the insults, discrimination and other difficulties he had to endure when he was young and his struggle to gain a decent place in the society that rejected him (Albinos in Africa, victims of primitive beliefs, video made by Eleonore Abou Ez for France Info).

Source: Salif Keita dénonce le sort tragique des albinos “vendus en pieces détachées”

In Fana, Mali, a five-year old girl with albinism was murdered in May 2018.

Albino child killed and dismembered in Burundi

Published: February 20, 2016
By: Shehab Khan

A five-year-old albino girl has been killed and dismembered in Burundi, officials said.

The killing, which is the first reported murder of a person with albinism in Burundi in four years, has been linked to regional witchcraft, according to local officials

“Gunmen broke into the girl’s home around 1:00 in the morning Wednesday, they attacked her parents before taking her,” local administrator Marie-Claudine Hashazinka told AFP.

Neighbours of the family pursued the gunmen, only to discover the victim’s dismembered body, Sky reported.

More than 20 albino people have been killed in Burundi since 2008, with the last case being in 2012 (see my October 4, 2018 post above – Please note: bold & italics added by webmaster FVDK).

In some areas, a complete albino skeleton is worth as much as $75,000, according to the Red Cross.

The Government has banned witch doctors who claim to perform spells and charms using albino body parts to bring good luck and wealth.

An investigation has been opened into the kidnapping and killing.

Source: Albino child killed and dismembered in Burundi

Nigeria: Taraba police nab three for killing six-year-old for ritual

 

Suspects (from left to right) Mrs Umaimatu Tanimu, Abdulahi Abubakar and Adamu Mohammed

Published: September 12, 2018
By: Justin Tyopuusu Jalingo

The police in Taraba State on Tuesday paraded three suspects in connection with the brutal murder of a six-year-old girl, Maimuna Yahaya, who was lured and allegedly killed by the suspects last Sunday.

Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP David Missal, identified the suspects as Adamu Mohammed,  Mrs Umaimatu Tanimu and Abdulahi Abubakar,  all of Sabon-Gida in the Gassol Local Government Area of the state.

According to the PPRO, the suspects, on September 2, allegedly lured Yahaya to an isolated area on the outskirts of Sabon-Gida and slaughtered her with a knife.

He told journalists that the suspects slit open the stomach of the minor and removed her kidneys on the instructions of Abubakar, who allegedly instructed them to bring the organs for money ritual.

Missal said the suspects were tracked by a team of police detectives acting on intelligence.

“The suspects are being investigated for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide and will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed,” he said.

Source: Taraba police nab three for killing six-year-old for ritual

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