Peak Absurdity: Men across Africa beaten to death over 'penis theft' (1 photo + 3 videos)
Category: Interesting photo stories, PEGI 0+
Today, 12:11
In the 21st century, as humanity builds neural networks and plans the colonization of Mars, several African countries have seen a full-blown hunt for "genital thieves." Regrettably, this is no joke: local mass hysteria has already claimed dozens of lives. 
The logic behind the panic is simple and chillingly absurd: locals firmly believe that sorcerers can steal, shrink, or completely dissolve a man's manhood with a simple touch or a friendly pat on the shoulder. If an unfortunate passerby accidentally bumps into someone at a market or on a bus, the victim frantically checks his pants. If fear makes him feel that "something has shrunk," he raises an alarm, attracting an angry mob armed with sticks and machetes.
This unlucky guy got fortunate—he was caught and roughed up, but spared from a full-on mob execution.
According to the BBC Disinformation Team, more than 80 people across eight African nations (including Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, and Malawi) have already fallen victim to this madness.
The incidents are shockingly brutal. In Tanzania, an ordinary auto mechanic went to a restaurant for lunch with a friend. After he simply greeted someone, patrons raised an alarm about "organ theft," dragged the men into the street, and launched a mob attack. The mechanic was beaten half to death, while his innocent friend was bludgeoned to death on the spot. In another province, a suspect accused of "magically stealing" a penis was doused in gasoline and burned alive before a crowd.
Another alleged "genital-stealing sorcerer" trying to prove he possesses no magical powers.
Doctors are struggling in vain to explain to the public that this is a classic mass psychosis and genital retraction syndrome, known medically as "koro." All the "victims" examined in hospitals are completely healthy, with their anatomy fully intact—people are simply suffering severe panic attacks triggered by deep-seated superstition.
The situation has escalated to the point where local authorities and police have launched widespread awareness campaigns.
Officials are literally traveling from village to village, trying to convince grown men that their manhood cannot be stolen or remotely shrunk over Wi-Fi or with a pat on the back. Meanwhile, courts in Mozambique and Kenya have begun handing down prison sentences en masse to overly vigilant citizens who attack people over phantom sensations in their pants.
