Monday, May 16, 2005
Netscape News/Reuters: Tanzanian police arrest skinners
Dar Es Salaam- Tanzanian police arrested two men accused of killing a 9 year old boy and selling his skin for 20,000 shillings ($18) to make sorcerers' get rich quick charms, a senior official said.
During interrogation one of the men confessed that they were both skinners and that they skinned a boy in Mbozi six months ago. They threw his body into the Jianga river.
Suleiman Kova, police commander for the southern Mbeya region told Reuters that these cases are few, but are very shocking. Kova said the pair are expected to be charged once they have completed investigations into the identity of the victim. The police are still making inquiries.
Human skins are used by witch doctors to make charms or potions designed to make their users rich especially in southern Tanzania, renowned as a center of traditional sorcery.
During interrogation one of the men confessed that they were both skinners and that they skinned a boy in Mbozi six months ago. They threw his body into the Jianga river.
Suleiman Kova, police commander for the southern Mbeya region told Reuters that these cases are few, but are very shocking. Kova said the pair are expected to be charged once they have completed investigations into the identity of the victim. The police are still making inquiries.
Human skins are used by witch doctors to make charms or potions designed to make their users rich especially in southern Tanzania, renowned as a center of traditional sorcery.
