Tanzania fights human skinning Exhibits of skin are part of Tanzania's campaign to discourage the trade in human skin at an international business fair in the capital. SEE ALSO: Human skin is used for Vistors to the the witchcraft at a price of week-long fair in up to $9,600 Dar es Salaam will see a rather gruesome exhibit of human body parts in an effort to raise awareness about the underground trade in human skin which has hit southern Tanzania over the past two years. The head of the forensic science division in the chief chemist's office, which is exhibiting the parts, Gloria Machube, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that the human skin is used in witchcraft. According to police the skins are in huge demand outside Tanzania. They are transported to Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo before reaching their final destination in West Africa. People are skinned and the skin is used for their rituals Gloria Machube Head of forensic science "People are skinned and the skin is used for their rituals. But fortunately they are caught by the police," Ms Machube said. Murder charges In 2001 police broke a skin-smuggling ring and 13 people were charged with murder. A total of six young people are thought to have been killed and skinned in the Mbeya region of US accepts Somali Bantus 13 Mar 03 | Africa Persecuted Bantus begin new life 20 May 03 | Africa 'I had to leave my children behind' 21 Feb 03 | UK News US rethinks genital mutilation threat 04 Oct 02 | Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Refugee Law Centre UNHCR The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES Nigeria state oil firm 'insolvent' France to help Africa veterans Churches call for Sudan to split | News feeds