Chimoio (Mozambique), 5 May (AIM) – The wave of disinformation alleging that mysterious sorcerers have stolen or shrunk the penises of their victims have led to riots in which two people have been killed in the central city of Chimoio, central Mozambican province of Manica.
The rumour first appeared on 18 April in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. This was the worst affected province, but the disinformation had also spread to Niassa, Nampula, Zambezia and Sofala.
According to eyewitnesses, the tragedy took place during the weekend after these two people were attacked by a mob for allegedly being responsible for carrying out these witcheries. One of the victims was a teacher, who died at Chimoio Provincial Hospital after being attacked.
“Many people rushed to the scene and began violently assaulting the man who claimed to practice witchery and that he had made another individual’s genitals disappear. He was attacked by a group of locals, led by some unidentified young people”, a source said.
“It all began when a young man claimed his genitals were disappearing, generating panic and popular mobilization. When the police arrived, the victim was in critical condition. The medical team was immediately mobilized and went to the scene, where they confirmed another victim had lost his life.”
However, the individual who claimed to have his penis shrunk was taken to a police station, where it was found that his genitals were intact, proving it to be a mere rumor.
Preliminary data point out that nearly ten cases of physical assaults motivated by these rumours have taken place in Manica.
According to Interior Minister, Paulo Chachine, these rumours have already led to riots in which 39 people have been killed and a further 74 injured.
(AIM)
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