A/HRC/43/42/Add.1 Statistics South Africa is currently in the process of harmonizing indicators or measures on disability across all government departments, in order to improve data. 35. The Independent Expert was unable to obtain specific data on the overall number of cases involving crimes against persons with albinism. However, she noted that a database created by the police was aimed, among other objectives, at noting cases involving persons with disabilities, and had the potential to indicate the type of disability or impairment concerned, including albinism. The Independent Expert hopes that the database will be operational soon, as it will be crucial for recording cases of violence against persons with albinism, and for protection measures including identifying locations and cases where persons with albinism are at risk of violence. 36. South Africa has the opportunity to alleviate the problems related to lack of data on persons with albinism, in the forthcoming census in 2021. The Independent Expert recommends the inclusion of a question on persons with albinism using the format proposed by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics, 16 as was done in the recent census in Kenya. Such data should be used securely and be safeguarded against misuse, in light of the vulnerability of persons with albinism to harmful practices including attacks, killings, trafficking and grave robberies. (b) Attacks and killings 37. The Independent Expert was informed of a number of cases of attacks and extreme human rights violations against persons with albinism, most of which had occurred in the past five years. These included the murder of Gabisile Shabani,17 a 13-year-old girl with albinism, and her 1-year-old nephew, in Mpumalanga. In June 2016, a 12-year-old boy survived trafficking and attempted sale in eManguzi, KwaZulu-Natal, before being found some kilometres away from the border of Mozambique. The woman who had attempted to sell the boy to a traditional healer was arrested. Also in 2016, a 4-year-old boy, Maneliswa Ntombela (Mlungu), was kidnapped in Richards Bay and is yet to be found.18 38. The Independent Expert also received the case files for Thandazile Mpunzi, 19 brutally murdered by a church bishop, who was also a traditional healer, with the help of three young men, one of whom was courting her as a ruse to kill her for ritual purposes – also known as a muthi killing.20 39. To date, civil society organizations representing persons with albinism have reported 11 cases, of murder or attack, in South Africa, the majority of which have occurred over the last few years. Although these cases seem few compared to in neighbouring countries, the Independent Expert stresses that, given the small number of persons with albinism, and their minority status in quantitative terms, an attack against one person is a significant threat to all. 40. Moreover, the absence of data should not be interpreted as an absence of cases. There are no organizations that systematically monitor or record cases. Nearly all civil society organizations representing persons with albinism are volunteer-driven, with no operational funding. While some of these groups, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, reported further cases to the Independent Expert during the visit, the absence of sufficient information means these are only anecdotal reports. However, such reports are indicative of wider problems which require an investigative analysis into the security situation for 16 17 18 19 20 8 See www.washingtongroup-disability.com/people-albinism-included-washington-group-questions. This case was the subject of discussions with the Government and other stakeholders. It is known in the public arena, due to wide media coverage and ongoing investigations. See https://actiononalbinism.org/assets/1558461982635eqw12oo66t.pdf. The Independent Expert had sent a joint allegation letter to the Government of South Africa on 3 September 2015 concerning this case (ZAF 2/2015), which is available at https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=18721. Muthi means traditional African medicine or magical charms. The phrase “muthi killings” is generally used to refer to the use of body parts for medicine or charms in southern Africa. See www.underthesamesun.com/sites/default/files/Albino%20Killings%20are%20Muti%20Killings%20%20English.pdf.