Africa-Press – Mozambique. At least 11 people have died after being physically assaulted in three provinces of Mozambique, amid superstitions involving alleged magic said to cause genital shrinkage through touch, authorities have announced.
The deaths occurred in the provinces of Nampula (2 April) and Cabo Delgado (5 April) in northern Mozambique, and in Zambézia Province (4 April), in the centre of the country.
The incidents are linked to superstitions circulating since 18 April in Cabo Delgado, which have since spread to other provinces and social media, claiming alleged shrinking, reduction and even disappearance of genital organs, mainly male, through physical contact.
In Nampula, the superstitions caused two deaths and eight injuries due to physical assault, in 16 cases of misinformation recorded between Wednesday and Sunday, involving allegations of black magic in the districts of Eráti and Monapo.
“Unfortunately, [the victims] were accused of practising black magic. They were beaten and after the assaults the suspects allegedly set fire to them and, unfortunately, [the victims] ended up losing their lives,” said the spokesperson of the Mozambique Republic Police (PRM) in Nampula, Dércio Samuel, at a press conference on Monday.
According to Dércio Samuel, police have detained 24 people for spreading misinformation and incitement to collective disobedience, warning of the involvement of children allegedly “recruited to create panic”.
In Cabo Delgado, the superstitions caused the death of five people in the districts of Mocímboa da Praia (1), Ancuabe (2), Montepuez (1) and Metuge (1), as well as injuring a further 20, all victims of physical assault.
“We call on society as a whole to report and trust the Mozambique Republic Police. As we have already stated, we are on alert regarding this phenomenon. We cannot be distracted; our province is experiencing a moment of terror,” said the provincial commander of the PRM in Cabo Delgado, Assane Fikir, quoted today by the local media, adding that 25 people have been detained and nine reports filed.
In Zambézia, Lusa reported on Sunday that at least four people died following the spread of the superstitions, according to Miguel Félix, head of the Macuse administrative post, where the incidents took place.
The victims were lynched and burnt, amid panic caused by rumours that a handshake could lead to genital shrinkage, a situation that prompted police intervention.
In statements to journalists, health authorities in Cabo Delgado and Nampula clarified that there is no genital shrinkage, stating that this is a case of collective social panic. A multi-sector technical group has therefore been created, composed of general practitioners, forensic doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists, to analyse the situation and assess patients arriving at health units complaining of genital shrinkage.
“After the cases were assessed by doctors, there was no evidence of any alteration in the anatomy of the genital organs,” said the director of the Provincial Health Service in Cabo Delgado, Edson Fernando.
“After medical evaluation it was found that there was no alteration in the genital region. Following psychological assessment, [patients] showed behavioural changes, but after psychological support they returned to normal life,” said clinical psychologist at Nampula Central Hospital, Ibrahimo Manuel.
The Mozambique Republic Police has called on the population to report “agitators”, warning that the phenomenon risks paralysing services, and stating that operational forces are on the ground, especially in areas with large gatherings.
“The police will be tough and uncompromising towards all those involved in this issue of misinformation. Innocent people are losing their lives,” said the police spokesperson in Nampula.
