BORN TOO WHITE

Witch doctors are murdering ALBINOS and harvesting their brains, teeth and genitals for medicines in Malawi

UN chiefs fear albinos could become extinct in the East African nation if the sick trade is not stopped

Danny Collins

Published: 9:27, 19 Feb 2017
Updated: 15:41, 20 Feb 2017

A YOUNG boy has described the moment he discovered his brother murdered - just because he was an albino.

Chikumbutzo Massina recounted the grisly moment he made the discovery of sibling Fletcher, who like him suffered the skin condition.

The life-threatening conditions endured by albinos in East Africa have been revealed in a new BBC Two documentary — The life-threatening conditions endured by albinos in East Africa have been revealed in a new BBC Two documentaryCredit: Getty Images

Dozens of albinos have been attacked in Malawai in just two years, with several killed and their body parts used for witchcraft potions — Dozens of albinos have been attacked in Malawai in just two years, with several killed and their body parts used for witchcraft potionsCredit: Getty Images

British doctor Oscar Duke travelled to Malawi to meet with those trying to rebuild their lives in the face of the ever-present threat — British doctor Oscar Duke travelled to Malawi to meet with those trying to rebuild their lives in the face of the ever-present threatCredit: Not known refer to copyright holder

He said: "Here is the spot where I spotted Fletcher’s blood trail.

"And here is the ridge where I found what was left of his mutilated body."

Fletcher's limbs had been cut off with machetes and his brain, liver, heart, kidneys and lungs taken from his body.

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The youngsters teeth had been wrenched from his mouth and his genitals cut away.

All would be likely sold on East Africa's horrifying market for albino body parts.

The sickening trade is fuelled by huge demand for the body parts - often used in witchcraft ceremonies in central and eastern Africa.

And nowhere is the problem more pronounced than Chikumbutzo's homeland of Malawi.

In this small nation - dwarfed by its neighbours Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique - 13 albinos have been killed in two years alone.

Another 65 have been attacked while kidnap attempts have been made on 47.

Duke will feature in the BBC's documentary on Thursday night — Duke will feature in the BBC's documentary on Thursday nightCredit: Not known refer to copyright holder

Such is the threat to albinos that a special centre has been set up where they can be protected under armed guard — Such is the threat to albinos that a special centre has been set up where they can be protected under armed guardCredit: Getty Images

The condition affects the amount of skin pigment produced and also makes the victim susceptible to conditions such as skin cancer — The condition affects the amount of skin pigment produced and also makes the victim susceptible to conditions such as skin cancerCredit: Getty Images

In a nation where the average salary is barely £3,000, the £7,000 witch doctor patients will pay for a potion made from albino body parts is worryingly - and tragically - tempting.

But shockingly Fletcher's jailed killer says he earned just £44 for the murder.

Herbert Malloy told BBC Two documentary Born Too White: "I was sent by some people who wanted this to happen.

"They promised us [money] to share among us. We cut the arms and the legs.

"There was a person with us giving out instructions, what was needed from the body, the rest was no good. That’s what we did."

Fewer than two per cent of albinos are believed to live beyond 40 in Africa with skin cancer the biggest killer.

With a lack of skin pigment - otherwise known as melanin - their skin is susceptible to the African sun.

Such is danger for an albino in East Africa that fewer than two per cent live beyond 40 — Such is danger for an albino in East Africa that fewer than two per cent live beyond 40Credit: Getty Images

Potions made from albino body parts have been known to sell for as much as £7,000 — Potions made from albino body parts have been known to sell for as much as £7,000Credit: Getty Images

On UN chief even warned that Malawi's albinos face extinction of the problem is not addressed — On UN chief even warned that Malawi's albinos face extinction of the problem is not addressedCredit: Getty Images

UN chiefs have even warned that Malawi's estimated 10,000 albinos "face extinction".

Ikponwosa Ero added: "Even in death, they do not rest in peace as their remains are robbed from graveyards."

In neighbouring Tanzania, 70 albinos have been killed in just ten years.

Such is the threat to their lives that a special camp has been set up to accommodate them.

Armed guards watch over barbed wire perimeter fences.

One British doctor who visited the centre, Dr Oscar Duke, said: "‘It may seem grim but at least they are safe."

Born Too White is aired on BBC2 this Thursday at 9pm