Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Police in Tanzania say they have arrested a Kenyan national who was attempting to sell an albino man

The arrest was made in a sting operation as police pretended to be businessmen buying albino body parts. Police say they struck a deal equivalent to more than $250,000 for the 20-year-old man. Albino body parts are prized in parts of Africa, with witchdoctors claiming they have special powers. A 28-year-old Kenyan man, Nathan Mutei, was arrested just outside the town of Mwanza as he attempted to sell an albino man. The regional police commander, Simon Siro, said that Mutei had tricked a fellow Kenyan into believing he would secure a job in Tanzania as a truck driver's assistant. But Mutei had secretly tried to find businessmen willing to buy 20-year-old Robinson Mkwama. The police commander said they had posed as potential buyers in order to make the arrest. In Tanzania, the body parts of people living with albinism are used by witchdoctors for potions which they tell clients will help make them rich or healthy. Over the last few years more than 50 albino adults and children have been killed. The Tanzanian government promised to take action, and there have been some court cases. But justice is slow. So far, just seven men have been given death sentences.

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