Two men were arrested for falsely claiming that preachers caused their genitals to disappear. They are set to appear in court on Monday.
This incident, which took place on Friday in Soweto, Kadzandani Ward, sparked unrest as angry residents attacked several preachers conducting door-to-door evangelism.
The police identified the two men, who claimed that their genitals mysteriously vanished after greeting the preachers. Their allegations spread quickly, causing panic and leading residents to accuse four of the eight preachers of witchcraft.
“We arrested the two men after verifying that their claims were false,” said Nyali sub-county police commander Davidson Muga. “A physical check confirmed that their private parts were intact.”
The suspects remain in custody and face charges for providing false information that endangered the preachers’ lives. Muga emphasized that there’s no scientific basis for claims about disappearing body parts and cautioned against witchcraft accusations, which can jeopardize innocent lives.
“You can’t identify a witch just by looking at them,” Muga noted.
This incident has reignited discussions on misinformation and the dangers of unverified claims. The police referenced a similar case in Tanzania, where individuals faced imprisonment for making comparable allegations, which nearly incited mob violence.
BBC journalist Roncliff Odit criticized the baseless claims, stating, “How can body parts disappear without any struggle? Those responsible should face legal consequences, just as in Tanzania.”
Journalist Mohamed Seif urged a balanced approach, warning that such reports can incite fear and irrational behavior among the public. He acknowledged the limitations of science in verifying such claims.
Lawyer David Ochami called for evidence to support the allegations, advising journalists to avoid sensationalizing superstition in their reporting.
Meanwhile, police mobilized officers to protect the preachers from a crowd of about 500 that attempted to attack them. Officers faced stone-throwing as they tried to rescue the preachers, who had taken refuge in a house.
“We used teargas and warning shots to disperse the crowd, successfully rescuing the eight preachers,” Muga stated.
Some crowd members later vandalized the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Bamburi, damaging property and stealing a generator. Muga clarified that the preachers were Jehovah’s Witnesses, not witches, and labeled the attackers as criminals.
The injured preachers received medical attention, with three sustaining serious injuries. Jehovah’s Witnesses church elder Martin Henya expressed gratitude for the police’s swift response and announced a temporary halt to door-to-door evangelism for safety reasons.
The Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses in East Africa condemned the violence, affirming their commitment to peaceful conduct and community support.
Muga reiterated that law enforcement will not tolerate mob violence and will take action against criminal behavior disguised as public outrage. “We will not let criminal elements take control,” he asserted.
