Kinondoni regional police commander, Charles Kenyela

Kinondoni regional police commander Charles Kenyela has said the Police Force was still interrogating Dar es Salaam bar owner over possession of a human head believed to be of a person with albinism.

He said in an interview yesterday that his force was still questioning James Isame (50), the owner of Kawe-based Bongo Star Bar and Guest House. After searching his bar premises, police found ‘the head’ inside a toilet.

“After interrogation, information obtained will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s office for further action,” Kenyela said in a telephone interview on Sunday.

Dar es Salaam police arrested Isame at Kawe area at around 20:45 hours after being tipped off by a source.

After being arrested the suspect was picked-up to the Kawe Police Station for interrogation.

Attacks on people with albinism have resulted in 78 deaths, hundreds permanently maimed and others psychologically devastated countrywide, particularly in Lake Zone regions of Kagera, Mwanza, Shinyanga and Mara.

Despite many arrests, there have been only 10 trials culminating in a mere 8 convictions, with most suspects left languishing in remand prison instead of being tried in court.

Recently a badly mutilated body of a person with albinism was discovered at Nambala village in Kikwe ward, Arumeru district, a move which created fear and dismay among the community in Arusha region.

The body, which was discovered on May 26 2012 by children, was badly mutilated and left without clothes on a stone in the middle of River Nambala.

Attacks on people with albinism have been on the rise because the suspected ringleaders and witchdoctors are often not arrested.