Maputo, 27 Apr (AIM) – A rumour that some kind of sorcery is leading to the disappearance or shrinking of mens’ penises, instead of being laughed out of court, has led to the formation of lynch mobs in northern Mozambique, and at least eight people have been murdered because of these absurd accusations.
The southern African version of the rumour appears to have started in Tanzania, and then spread southwards. The claim is that there are people with supernatural powers who can make the male genitalia disappear or shrink with a touch on the shoulder or a handshake with the victim.
Despite the evident absurdity of the claim, at least five people have been murdered in mass lynchings since 18 April in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, by mobs who believed in the rumour.
Tales of disappearing penises have also reached the central province of Zambezia. In Macuse administrative post, in Namacurra district, credulous mobs, have killed three people accused of this non-existent crime.
In the Zambezia provincial capital, Quelimane, the police acted before a mob could be formed and arrested seven people on charges of incitement to violence.
According to the independent television station, STV, a further seven youths were detained, accused of beating a 55 year old man believed to have the power of shrinking penises.
The youths detained claimed their victim was responsible for cases of “the atrophy of the male genitalia”.
At a joint press conference in the Cabo Delgado provincial capital, Pemba, last Friday, the police and the health authorities said that lynch mobs had killed five people in the province. one in Mocímboa da Praia, two in Ancuabe, one in Chiúre and one in Metuge
The provincial police commander, Assane Nyito, told the press conference that the police have detained 25 people in connection with these murders.
The Director of the Cabo Delgado Health Services, Edson Fernando, said the multi-disciplinary teams set up to study the cases of the supposed shrinking of male genitalia ascertained that there were no anomalies in the victims analysed. “These are cases of collective social panic”, declared Fernando.
There is nothing new in the charges of witches stealing penises. The claim was also made during the witch hunts in medieval Europe. The notorious 15th century witch-hunting manual “Malleus Malificarum” (“Hammer of the Witches”) claimed that witches could steal penises, and even transform them into pets.
(AIM)
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