Time to prosecute albino murderers

By Editor
2nd June 2009
The sacredness of human life is a reality that is not contested by anyone. We all have the right to live, which no human being can simply take away. Granted that we all have to depart from this world at a certain point in time, yet if any of us is dispatched to another world by the cruel hand of a murderer, such an action is not only uncalled for, but deserves the most severe punishment.This is why the law enforcing organs are supposed to work tirelessly around the clock, so that killers in our midst are nabbed and brought before justice.The systematic arrest of murder suspects and subsequent trials serve to instill confidence in the populace that people are being protected.We all know that both our law enforcing organs and members of the Judiciary have a difficult time in executing their tasks in a smooth manner due to possessing inadequate resources; yet they have done a wonderful job whenever called to ensure that the country does not face a situation whereby criminals have an upper hand.With that background in mind, we wish to recall the statement made by the Director of Public Prosecutions that his office is working around the clock to ensure that a proper environment is in place so that the prosecution of suspected albino killers would take place in several regions in the near future.Earlier, the association of albinos had initiated a court action to press the government to prosecute albino murder suspects. However, the organization backed away from proceeding with the case; perhaps because its leaders were assured that the prosecutions were definitely in the offing.Days keep passing, and it seems that the prosecutions, which are eagerly awaited by members of the population-and even more so by albinos, who feel that their existence is threatened-are going to take place later than sooner, and there are those who question whether the presumed high profile prosecutions will take place at all.Reports from neighbouring Burundi, a recently war-torn country--indicate that a trial of alleged albino killers opened last week, with prosecutors saying that the killings were being fuelled by demand for body parts from our country.An allegation this only serves to further damage our image before the world, by showing that we are yet to get on top of the problem.If the Burundian officials have been able to both nab and prosecute the suspects, there is no reason why the Tanzanian authorities should drag their feet in taking similar action. As it goes, justice delayed is justice denied.The authorities might be secretly doing a wonderful job in laying the groundwork for the long awaited trials. On the other hand, they need to remember that justice not only needs to be done, but it must also be seen to be done. Short of that, people might be tempted to wonder whether there are any persons who are protecting the suspects, who must be there because the killings are really taking place. Whenever there is a murder, there is a person who commits it.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN