Life imprisonment for attempting to kill albino

Tom Sangala June 16, 2016

43 1 minute read

The High Court sitting in Mzuzu has imposed a life jail term with no possibility of parole on Sam Kaumba, 32, for attempted murder of an 11 year-old boy with albinism in Karonga last year.

The ruling has been touted as a landmark as it comes at a time people with albinism are facing attacks across the country.

Judge Dingiswayo Madise heard that on September 2, 2015 the accused conspired with some Swahili-speaking people who promised a ready market for the boy’s body parts.

The state said on the material day, the boy, Morton Juma, was playing with friends before the convict and his accomplice Fiskani Mhango, 35, called him to collect chickens at his house.

While on the way, they dragged him to a bush at Ipyana where they attacked him before well-wishers came to his rescue after hearing him shout.

Through lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda, the state then pleaded for life sentence saying Kaumba took the boy to the forest with a motive to murder and that the tough sentence would deter other would-be offenders.

“The suspect had a motive to kill as evidenced by the wounds sustained by the victim. Kaumba’s conduct has had a negative impact on the boy, his family and the community at large. Therefore, a life sentence will serve as warning to would-be perpetrators and in the process, ensure safety of people with albinism,” said Malunda.

Passing judgement, Justice Madise agreed with the state saying barbaric acts against people with albinism are deplorable and deserve tougher punishment.

But Madise acquitted Kaumba’s co-accused Mhango on grounds that the evidence presented against him was inconclusive.

In mitigation defence lawyer, Chimwemwe Chithope Mwale, pleaded with the court to hand a lenient punishment to his client since he is a first offender and that he is HIV positive, a plea which the court threw out.

Speaking after the court session, Malunda hailed the court saying stiffer penalties will help contain violence against people with albinism.

But Chithope Mwale was non-committal on the way forward.

“As lawyers, we work on instructions. So firstly we have to make legal interpretation of the judgment and offer options to our client. That’s when we can agree on whether we can go ahead and appeal or not,” said Mwale.

The sentence means double celebration for the 11-year-old boy who has since been offered a full scholarship by the Mzuzu Academy to complete his education

Meanwhile, various stakeholders have welcomed the ruling with Child Rights activist Habiba Osman taking to her Facebook page in praise of the development.