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ARUSHA. — Attackers in Tanzania tried to hack the genitals off a man with albinism, media reports said yesterday, just two days before elections. Presidential and parliamentary polls due tomorrow have been marked by fears of a spike in albino murders, with rights groups warning that some politicians may also be seeking lucky charms or “witchcraft” potions. Television news stations, which said the attackers had shouted they wanted to chop the genitals off the man, broadcast footage of the 35-year recovering in hospital from a machete blow to the head.
“He was attacked at his home . . . he is currently hospitalised, but he is not in danger,” said a local government officer in Pwani district, close to the main city Dar es Salaam. The attack took place overnight on Wednesday. “We thought the attacks against albinos had declined, but this shows albinos are being targeted, especially in this election period,” said Vicky Ntetema of Under The Same Sun, an organisation defending the rights of albinos in Tanzania.
At least 76 albinos have been murdered since 2000 with their dismembered body parts selling for around $600 and entire bodies fetching $75 000, according to UN experts. — AFP.
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