The IFP calls on Provincial and National Government to ensure that people living with albinism are protected after the gruesome death of Nanana Msweli of Ngwavuma in KwaMhlabuyalingana and the recent discovery of her mutilated body buried in a shallow grave.
“The onslaught against albinos has reached alarming levels and this calls for greater awareness and education about albinism to guarantee the safety and well-being of albinos. Education about albinism must start at primary school level and continue into every home in all communities. The law should introduce stiff penalties on those people who commit heinous acts against people living with albinism. We are sickened by reports that people living with albinism are still living in fear because some segments of society continue to persecute them or seek to kill them for their body parts. It is high time the nation joins hands in uprooting this evil so that sanity returns in the country,” said IFP KZN Spokesperson on Social Development, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana, MPL.
“This is strange and as South Africans we need a concerted effort to curb this immorality because the police alone cannot crack down on this inhuman behaviour. As such I call upon every person beginning with relatives and communities that have people living with albinism, law enforcers, the courts and to the executive arm of government to step up efforts and resources in combating this evil,” continued Mrs Nkwanyana.
“It is obvious that we do not place albinism as a mainstream disability but we do know that persons with albinism rank within the vulnerable groups in society and it falls under our purview to protect vulnerable groups. We call for all cases of abduction of people living with albinism to be reviewed to ensure that stiff punishment is administered on those who commit crimes against albinos,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
The IFP further calls for the establishment of a rescue centre for people with albinism where they will be free of victimisation. It further calls on the courts to deny bail to the killers of Nanana Mkhwanazi.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL, IFP Spokesperson on Social Development, 078 302 3991
For Media Enquiries:
IFP KZN Provincial Legislature Media Liaison Officer, Mr Phendulani Biyase, 073 024 5675
