National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Public Trust has appealed to residents of Nsanje and Chikwawa districts to stop spreading false claims of genital disappearance and refrain from engaging in mob justice.
Nice Trust Nsanje district programme officer Kondwani Malunga made the appeal on Friday during a mobile civic education campaign aimed at restoring peace and promoting coexistence following the killing of eight people in Nsanje and Chikwawa over false rumours of private parts disappearance.
| Ayamba Kandodo
He said Nice Trust, in collaboration with the district council and other stakeholders, embarked on the awareness campaign to counter misinformation and prevent further loss of innocent lives.
“The campaign involves a mobile van conducting civic education meetings in trading centres and villages to sensitise people to the dangers of taking the law into their own hands,” said Malunga.
He described the killings as unfortunate, saying that medical personnel at Nsanje and Chikwawa district hospitals confirmed that individuals who claimed to have lost their private parts still have them intact and functioning.
“People should stop spreading falsehoods and learn to live in harmony,” said Malunga.
Traditional Authority Malemia of Nsanje thanked Nice Trust for responding swiftly to dispel the unfounded allegations that triggered fear and attacks in some areas.
“My area was among the hotspots where people were accusing others of stealing genitals,” he said.
On his part, Senior Chief Ndamera of Nsanje also praised Nice Trust for the intervention.
Nsanje Police Victim Support Unit coordinator Gloria Nyimbiri said the awareness came at the right time to end the attacks.
Since the rumours emerged last week, eight people have been killed, six in Chikwawa and two in Nsanje.
More than 90 suspects have been arrested in Nsanje and Chikwawa in connection with the mob attacks.
Nice Trust conducted the campaign with support from the European Union.
