How killings sparked by accusations of 'genital theft' are being fuelled by social media
A wave of violence across several African countries has been linked to misinformation regarding 'genital theft' spreading on social media. Over 80 people have been killed by mobs acting on these false superstitions.
Why it matters
This highlights the dangerous real-world consequences of digital misinformation and how social media can amplify traditional superstitions into lethal mob violence.
Image source, Alfred Lasteck / BBC Image caption, Boniface Mgala and a friend were pulled out of a restaurant and attacked by a mob that accused them of stealing a man's genitals
More than 80 people were killed between October 2025 and July this year following false accusations about what is termed "genital theft", the BBC Global Disinformation Unit has found after gathering data from police forces across six African countries.
The killings are linked to rumours that a simple tap on the shoulder can cause a man's genitals to shrink or disappear. They are being fuelled by widespread misinformation on social media.
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