By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The Mozambican government has raised alarm over a wave of misinformation that has triggered mob violence and deaths in several northern and central provinces.
The government has urged calm and scientific scrutiny as panic spreads.
The rumours are centered on alleged disappearance or shrinkage of penises. These impossible claims, blamed on mysterious sorcerers, have already resulted in multiple killings, prompting authorities to intervene with both security and awareness measures.
“There is, so far, no scientific evidence of the existence of such a phenomenon,” government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa told the press after a Tuesday meeting of the Council of Ministers, in Maputo, dismissing the claims while acknowledging their social impact.
The government described the situation as a broader societal crisis rather than a purely security issue, stressing that communities themselves are both the source and victims of the violence.
“This is not just a government problem; it is a social problem,” he said.
Security forces have been deployed to contain the violence, but officials emphasize that law enforcement alone will not solve the issue. Instead, authorities are calling for coordinated action involving community leaders, religious institutions, media, and civil society.
“Even if it were true, the appropriate response would not be to take others’ lives through mob justice,” Impissa warned.
According to Impissa, the government has established a multidisciplinary task force, including scientists and social researchers, to investigate why such rumours gain traction in specific regions.
“We must bring in science to understand these phenomena,” Impissa said.
Authorities fear the unrest could spread nationwide if unchecked, and it has urged citizens to verify information and avoid spreading unverified claims, particularly on social media. (MT).
