By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) - Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Wednesday publicly condemned widespread rumours alleging that there are mysterious sorcerers who can make male sexual organs disappear after simply physical contact such as a handshake.
This entirely baseless rumour has triggered violent attacks, lynchings and killings in several parts of the country. At least 50 people have been murdered during the riots.
Speaking during a rally in the central city of Tete, Chapo dismissed the claims as “false” and accused rumour-mongers of fuelling panic and mob violence.
“It is all rumour, it is all lies, and people are assaulting others, lynching people, killing people based on rumours that have no truth,” the president said.
Chapo said the government had found no medical evidence supporting the allegations and insisted that no confirmed cases had been recorded by the national health system.
“There is not a single person who has gone to a health centre or hospital saying that their sexual organs disappeared or shrank,” he declared.
The president appealed to citizens to reject disinformation and avoid taking justice into their own hands, stressing that the spread of false information threatens social stability and public safety.
Chapo also linked the issue to broader challenges of disinformation, warning that false narratives circulating on social media and in communities risk undermining peace and social cohesion. (MT)
