Police arrest 32 witch doctors

onnaedo

March 7, 2015 12:28 PM

In January, the government outlawed witch doctors as part of a campaign to halt the killings.

Tanzanian police have arrested 32 witch doctors in the north-western Geita region as part of the country's fight against discrimination and killings of albino, BBC reports.

According to reports, the Geita police chief Joseph Konyo said "the witch doctors were arrested in possession of different items, including potions and oil from an unknown source".

He however did not say whether they had been charged, or caught with anything relating to albinos.

In January, the government outlawed witch doctors as part of a campaign to halt the killings. The president, Jakaya Kikwete also vowed to stamp out a practice that he called an "ongoing evil" which brings shame on the country.

Witch doctors believe the body parts of albinos have special powers, bringing success and good luck.

To this end, Tanzania has seen 75 albino related murders since 2000, campaigners say.

Meanwhile on Thursday, the High Court sentenced four people to death for the 2008 killing of 22-year old Zawadi Mangidu in Geita.

Her husband was one of those convicted.

onnaedo