A wave of violence linked to false accusations of “genital theft” has resulted in more than 80 deaths across six African countries between October 2025 and July, according to data compiled by the BBC Global Disinformation Unit. The rumours center on claims that a simple physical contact, such as a tap on the shoulder, can cause a man’s genitals to shrink or disappear. These accusations have led to mob violence against individuals accused of perpetrating such theft, with videos of attacks circulating widely on social media platforms.
The recent outbreak of violence appears to have originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and progressively spread to neighboring countries including Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, and Kenya. In Zambia, the rumours gained significant traction in March following the lynching of a woman, after which similar accusations spread into Tanzania. The phenomenon builds on longstanding cultural beliefs and superstitions regarding witchcraft that persist in some communities, though the scale and speed of the current outbreak has been amplified by social media platforms.
Tanzanian mechanic Boniface Mgala survived a severe beating in April after being accused of genital theft, sustaining head wounds, a missing tooth, and ongoing health complications. On the same day in the border town of Tunduma, a man was reportedly beaten and set on fire following similar accusations. Videos documenting these attacks have circulated widely across TikTok and Facebook, with some verified recordings accumulating over 100,000 views. Many such videos remain accessible on these platforms despite depicting mob violence.
Social media has played a central role in spreading the rumours through various content types, including alleged first-person accounts, warnings, commentary, and videos presented as documentation of incidents. Some content creators and social media users have promoted protective charms against genital theft, while others have created comedic parodies of the claims. Meta stated it is reviewing flagged content for policy violations, while TikTok has not yet responded to requests for comment. Authorities in affected areas have increased police patrols, and some local officials have suggested that certain incidents may have involved deliberate criminal intent designed to incite public panic.
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