Albino people live in fear in Tanzania and Burundi

TANZANIA: THREE MEN TO HANG FOR ALBINO MURDER

September 23, 2009: A court in north-western Tanzania sentenced three men to death by hanging for killing a 14-year-old albino boy.
They were found guilty of attacking Matatizo Dunia and severing his legs in Bukombe district in Shinyanga province.
In the past two years there has been a huge rise in murders of albino people. Witchdoctors use their body parts in potions they claim bring prosperity.
Dozens of people have been arrested, but the justice system is notoriously slow and this is the first conviction.
The three men attacked and killed the young boy last December - one of a string of more than 50 albino murders that have taken place in Tanzania over the past two years.
They have the right to appeal against the death sentence - a punishment their lawyers described as unexpected.
Albino people are killed because potions made from their body parts are believed to bring good luck and wealth.
Witchdoctors in Tanzania and other parts of East Africa - especially Burundi - have made tens of thousands of dollars from selling potions and other items made from the bones, hair, skin and genitals of dead albino people.
Witchdoctors pay a lot of money for body parts.
The Tanzanian government has publicly stated its desire to end the killings.
In March, President Jakaya Kikwete called on Tanzanians to come forward with any information they might have.
Officials banned witchdoctors from practising, however many have continued to work. (Sources: Bbc, 23/09/2009)