Vocal Africa, a civil society organization, has strongly condemned recent incidents involving allegations of stolen human private parts, describing the claims as a dangerous tactic being used by criminal gangs to spread fear and rob unsuspecting members of the public.
Vocal Africa Coordinator, Walid Sketty, dismissed the allegations, saying there was no scientific basis to support such claims and warned that innocent people have become victims of mob attacks after being falsely accused by criminals exploiting public fear.
According to Sketty, organised gangs are planning the rumours to profile individuals carrying money or valuables before orchestrating thefts and creating confusion among residents.
The Organisation has already engaged the police and local administration to address the growing concern.” These claims are false; it is a criminal gang that has devised a way of stealing from the public and they are very smart at it,” said Sketty.
He urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands whenever such incidents are reported but to report the same to the nearest police station for investigations.
The organisation appealed for calm, warning that mob justice could result in innocent people being harmed while giving criminals an opportunity to exploit the confusion.
Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid said investigations and medical examinations have disproved the allegations made by those claiming that their private parts had disappeared.
He added that many people have suffered injuries as a result of mob attacks triggered by the false claims, adding, “So far, 17 cases have been reported.” The individuals who claimed to have lost their private parts were taken to the hospital, but medical examinations found no evidence of any missing organs.”
Meanwhile, Sumeiya Jamal, an officer with the organisation urged members of the public to seek lawful and honest means of earning a living rather than engaging in criminal activities.
She emphasised that misinformation and fear should not be used as tools for personal gain and called on residents to work closely with authorities and community leaders to expose criminals in their midst.
By Mary Mtawa
