Tanzania goes after killers of albinos

DODOMA, Tanzania, March 11 (UPI) -- The president of Tanzania has asked citizens to inform anonymously on those they believe are involved in the killing of albinos.

At least 45 albinos are believed to have been killed in less than two years, most of them in the Lake Zone. President Jakaya Kikwete describes the killings, which were criticized last month by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during his visit, as an embarrassment to Tanzania, the BBC reported Tuesday.

The killers reportedly sell hair, skin and other body parts from albinos to traditional healers. Kikwete outlawed traditional medicine in January.

Some critics of the drive to catch those involved in the killings fear people will inform anonymously on enemies and not necessarily the guilty.