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[MBABANE, 24 August 2010] - A second young albino girl has been killed and mutilated this month in a type of ritual slaughter new to Swaziland. Banele Nxumalo, 11, of Sigudvuma in the southern Shiselweni Region, was abducted in full view of more than 20 adults and children along a river by a gunman disguised with a balaclava. According to witnesses, who included family members, the gunman forced the girl to the ground and shot her in the back before carrying her off. A search party of neighbours and relatives found the girl's decapitated body a short time later. Police said they have no leads on the whereabouts of the killer. The killing and mutilation of albino adults and children has been reported in other African countries, but has not occurred before in Swaziland. "However, the method of killing and abduction of body parts bear the characteristics of ritual killings that have been a part of Swazi life since time immemorial. Children are usually the victims because they are easy to subdue," said Jason Ndwandwe, a nurse in the Manzini region, who works with traditional healers. "Whatever the source of the body parts, the end product is always the same: a muti that the user believes will give him protection or good fortune." The Traditional Healers Association of Swaziland denies any of its members are responsible for the albino killings, saying these were the work of "witches and warlocks". However, the killings may lead to a backlash against all practices involving potions and practices claimed to bring good luck. "You can't tell people like the traditional healers 'do that, it is okay to cut the throat of a goat or a chicken and wash in the animal's blood as it is held over you, and this will fortify you', and then say a human won't be even more powerful," said Abigale Dlamini, a sociologist studying traditional healing practices. "People inclined to believe the former are going to believe and maybe practice 'murder for muti'." Further information
pdf: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=vn20100824045...