Key facts
- Over 80 people have been killed across six African countries due to false rumours of genital theft.
- The killings are linked to social media misinformation claiming touching strangers can cause genitals to shrink or disappear.
- The rumours originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread to several other African nations.
- Victims of the rumours have been attacked and killed by mobs.
- Authorities in affected countries are working to counter the misinformation and have made arrests.
Deadly rumours about 'genital theft', amplified by social media, have resulted in the deaths of over 80 people across six African countries between October 2025 and July this year. The misinformation claims that a simple tap on the shoulder can cause a man's genitals to shrink or disappear, leading to mob violence against alleged perpetrators.
Tanzanian mechanic Boniface Mgala recounted his traumatic experience in April, where he and a friend were dragged from a restaurant and beaten by a mob convinced they were genital thieves. Mgala survived with severe injuries, but his friend was killed. Similar incidents, including one where a man was reportedly set on fire, have been witnessed and verified by the BBC.
These claims are rooted in long-standing superstitions about witchcraft but have been significantly amplified by social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. The recent wave of rumours appears to have started in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year and spread across the region.
In Mozambique, President Daniel Chapo publicly condemned the rumours, stating they were false and that no medical evidence supported the claims. The country's northern region of Cabo Delgado has been particularly hard-hit, with 55 deaths reported in just six weeks. In Kenya, five people were killed in July, with authorities blaming content creators for spreading misinformation for engagement.
Social media companies are reviewing the content. Meta stated it would take action on posts violating its policies, while TikTok has yet to comment. Experts note that the immediacy of videos shared online makes unverified claims appear more believable, contributing to the rapid spread and difficulty in controlling the rumours.