Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) executive director MacBain Mkandawire has called on politicians in the country to refrain from false beliefs that body parts of people with albinism can help them win the September 2025 elections.

“There is no charm with people with albinism that can make them win the elections. It is just a false belief, and they should not entertain that,” said Mkandawire in Zomba during a human rights awareness campaign.

He said such witchcraft-related rituals fuel the attacks against people with albinism in the country.

Mkandawire said politicians should instead focus all their energy on their manifestos to persuade people to vote for them.

He also warned perpetrators of violence against people with albinism that they will face the law.

“The Masambuka case is a good example of how government dealt with attacks on people with albinism by giving out life sentences to all who took part in his murder,” Mkandawire said.

“This was a strong message that government will not let perpetrators go scot-free.”

A consortium of three organisations: YONECO, Standing Voice and Beyond Suncare is implementing the European Union funded Ufulu Wanga project in Zomba, Ntcheu, Dedza, Balaka, Mulanje, Machinga and Phalombe in a bid to promote the rights and welfare of people with albinism.