Former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has come under heavy criticism for its alleged attack and discrimination against a person with albinism – Alex Machila – who intends to contest for a parliamentary seat in Salima South Constituency in central Malawi.
Albinism is a genetic condition that occurs in people of all races and in all parts of the world. Malawi has over 14, 000 persons with albinism spread in all the districts of the country.
Due to their skin condition, they are subjected discrimination, stigmatisation, persecution and ridicule by the communities in which they live and duty-bearers and politicians who are supposed to protect their rights.
The alleged discrimination and ridicule of Machila in Salima South could be a stark reminder of the wave of attacks and persecution of persons with albinism during the DPP administration.
Concerned followers of Machila confirmed to us on Saturday that Machila is facing fresh wave of attacks, discrimination, stigmatisation, persecution and ridicule following his decision to stand in the September 16, 2025, General Elections.
“District governor and his constituency counterpart have been going round the area telling people not to vote for Machila because of his skin color. They say persons with albinism don’t live beyond 40 years,” said one of the concerned followers only identifying himself as Yusuf.
Thus, Yusuf described the attacks, discrimination and ridicule targeting Machila as a classic and high-level abrogation of duty to protect and promote the rights of persons with albinism.
“We expect DPP to take an exemplary and leading role in defending and promoting him. It is Machila who stood with former President Arthur Peter Mutharika in defending the rights of persons with albinism when APAM [Association for Persons with Albinism in Malawi] refused to meet the former Head of State at the Kamuzu Palace to discuss strategies for ending attacks and killings of persons with albinism. Machila suffered heavy criticism that followed that meeting at the State House, and it’s very sad that DPP has decided to betray him today,” he lamented.
Corroborating Yusuf’s lamentations, a secondary school teacher and a staunch supporter of Machila, speaking on condition of anonymity, wondered why the party is sidelining their aspirant, arguing Machila has already demonstrated that he is effective and a development-conscious contender.
The teacher disclosed that Machila has implemented various development projects in the constituency, citing construction of school blocks, installation of solar lights in selected schools and markets.
“He has also installed solar lights at beaches for fishermen to do business even at night, maintained boreholes, paid school fees for underprivileged students. Recently, has been distributing maize flour and clothes to the vulnerable while the DPP’s preferred candidate has done nothing on the ground. Actually, he is just two months old in the party,” he said in a phone interview on Sunday afternoon.
Other than verbal slurs, attack, discrimination and ridicule directed at Machila, DPP officials have reportedly created parallel structures from where they have drawn delegates in their efforts to further disenfranchise Machila.
Hitherto, Machila had intended to run as an independent candidate before DPP coerced him to join and represent it.
Yusuf said it was sad that the party had decided to victimize and vilify their preferred candidate even after pleading with him to join it.
Machila refused to say much when contacted for an interview on Sunday.
“I’m aware of all the political innuendos, attacks and ridicule some politicians have launched on me, but I will choose to reserve my comment for now,” he reacted.
DPP vice president responsible for the Central Region, Alfred Gangata, said he would refer the matter to the party’s Director of Elections, Jean Mathanga, for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) Project Officer responsible for Socio-economic Empowerment of Persons with Albinism in Malawi Project, Tuntufye Simwimba, condemned the attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism who have expressed interest to run for political seats.
Simwimba said the Commission is particularly disappointed that the attacks are coming at a time the Government of Malawi and non-governmental organizations are working tirelessly to empower and encourage persons with disabilities to contest in the forthcoming elections.
“We denounce the attack and discrimination on Machila. It’s even more unfortunate that those sentiments are coming from DPP officials who were supposed to defend him. I just hope that all the political parties will take effective and sustainable steps towards the elimination of all forms of violence against persons with albinism, contestants in particular, so that we increase the number of persons with disabilities in elective offices,” he said.