Dar es Salaam: More than 80 people across six African countries have been killed following the spread of false accusations related to "genital theft," as uncovered by the BBC Global Disinformation Unit. The alarming trend, fueled by social media misinformation, has led to brutal mob attacks and widespread panic.

According to BBC, the killings are connected to rumors suggesting that a mere tap on the shoulder can cause a man's genitals to shrink or disappear. These claims, deeply rooted in superstition and witchcraft beliefs, have been magnified by social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. In one such incident, Tanzanian mechanic Boniface Mgala recounted to the BBC how he was severely beaten by a crowd accusing him of being a genital thief. His traumatic ordeal left him with physical scars and the emotional pain of losing a friend during the attack.

The wave of rumors reportedly began last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo and quickly spread to neighboring countries including Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, and Kenya. In Zambia, the rumors gained traction in March when a woman was lynched, causing panic to spread across the border into Tanzania. Mgala, who now suffers from constant headaches and a limp, has been unable to return to work, relying on the support of neighbors and friends for medical expenses.

In another violent incident in Tunduma, commercial photographer Michael Silavwe witnessed a man being beaten and set on fire after being accused of genital theft. Verified videos of such attacks have been widely circulated on social media, with some recorded incidents occurring in Mozambique and Kenya. Despite the violent nature of these events, many of these videos remain online, with social media platforms like Meta and TikTok facing criticism for their slow response in taking them down.

In Mozambique, a country severely impacted by these rumors, President Daniel Chapo condemned the false claims, emphasizing the lack of medical evidence to support them. The country has seen 55 deaths in a six-week period, prompting public awareness campaigns to counteract the hysteria. The government has linked some fears to Koro syndrome, a mental illness associated with genital retraction hysteria.

The situation has also escalated in Kenya, where five individuals were killed in mob attacks in coastal regions. Authorities, including Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor, have blamed content creators for spreading misinformation to gain views, highlighting the deadly consequences of such rumors. Several arrests have been made, including a father and son sentenced to prison for an assault related to these claims.

As communities grapple with the aftermath of these violent incidents, the emotional toll on individuals like Mgala remains profound. "It still hurts me deeply when I think back to the senseless manner my friend died," he said, reflecting on the tragic events sparked by baseless fears.

Dar es Salaam: More than 80 people across six African countries have been killed following the spread of false accusations related to "genital theft," as uncovered by the BBC Global Disinformation Unit. The alarming trend, fueled by social media misinformation, has led to brutal mob attacks and widespread panic.

According to BBC, the killings are connected to rumors suggesting that a mere tap on the shoulder can cause a man's genitals to shrink or disappear. These claims, deeply rooted in superstition and witchcraft beliefs, have been magnified by social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. In one such incident, Tanzanian mechanic Boniface Mgala recounted to the BBC how he was severely beaten by a crowd accusing him of being a genital thief. His traumatic ordeal left him with physical scars and the emotional pain of losing a friend during the attack.

The wave of rumors reportedly began last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo and quickly spread to neighboring countries including Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, and Kenya. In Zambia, the rumors gained traction in March when a woman was lynched, causing panic to spread across the border into Tanzania. Mgala, who now suffers from constant headaches and a limp, has been unable to return to work, relying on the support of neighbors and friends for medical expenses.

In another violent incident in Tunduma, commercial photographer Michael Silavwe witnessed a man being beaten and set on fire after being accused of genital theft. Verified videos of such attacks have been widely circulated on social media, with some recorded incidents occurring in Mozambique and Kenya. Despite the violent nature of these events, many of these videos remain online, with social media platforms like Meta and TikTok facing criticism for their slow response in taking them down.

In Mozambique, a country severely impacted by these rumors, President Daniel Chapo condemned the false claims, emphasizing the lack of medical evidence to support them. The country has seen 55 deaths in a six-week period, prompting public awareness campaigns to counteract the hysteria. The government has linked some fears to Koro syndrome, a mental illness associated with genital retraction hysteria.

The situation has also escalated in Kenya, where five individuals were killed in mob attacks in coastal regions. Authorities, including Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor, have blamed content creators for spreading misinformation to gain views, highlighting the deadly consequences of such rumors. Several arrests have been made, including a father and son sentenced to prison for an assault related to these claims.

As communities grapple with the aftermath of these violent incidents, the emotional toll on individuals like Mgala remains profound. "It still hurts me deeply when I think back to the senseless manner my friend died," he said, reflecting on the tragic events sparked by baseless fears.