How a viral “pretend illness” rumor led to the brutal killing of DRC well being employees
“They burned him alive, with out even leaving me a hint of him,” stated Justine Tangakeya, widow of slain well being employee John Tangakeya, recalling the mob assault that killed her husband within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), information company Reuters reported.
John Tangakeya and Placide Mbungi, each medical employees, have been killed on October 6, 2025, within the Isangi space of Tshopo province whereas conducting a vaccine-related survey. The well being employees have been accused by residents of Ilambi village of spreading “pretend illnesses”. 4 well being employees have been killed within the assault, whereas one survived.
A surviving group member, Mbatu, informed Reuters that regardless of repeated makes an attempt by the medical doctors to elucidate they have been finishing up vaccine analysis, villagers remained distrustful. The presence of outsiders carrying high-visibility jackets and carrying digital tablets reportedly deepened suspicion inside the group.
Rise of well being misinformation in Africa
The killings have spotlighted the rising hazard posed by on-line misinformation throughout elements of Africa, the place false claims about illnesses and vaccines are more and more fuelling mistrust in healthcare employees and establishments.
In accordance with Reuters, social media platforms have amplified fabricated claims about an “imaginary illness” allegedly inflicting males’s genitals to shrink or atrophy. Public well being specialists warn that such rumours are eroding belief in healthcare methods and triggering violence in opposition to frontline employees.
Assaults on well being employees: What the information reveals
The WHO-led Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA) has reported that at the least 17 well being employees have been killed in violence-related incidents within the DRC, although some deaths stay unverified.
In international locations together with Congo, Mozambique and Malawi, healthcare employees have additionally confronted assaults linked to misinformation surrounding cholera outbreaks and vaccination drives.
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A WHO misinformation hotline reportedly recorded a pointy rise in health-related misinformation calls — from 3,331 firstly of 2025 to 31,336 by December.
AIRA’s monitoring venture, launched final yr, documented almost 500 incidents linked to conspiracy theories, rumours and false well being data.
Viral church movies and miracle remedy claims
In early October, Dr Bavon Tangunza, supervisor of the AIRA alliance in Congo, acquired alerts concerning the fast unfold of faux sickness claims in Tshopo province.
Quickly after, movies started circulating on-line claiming miraculous cures. One extensively shared clip featured pastor Jules Mulindwa of the Pentecostal Church Mild of the World in Kisangani allegedly “curing” a taxi driver via prayer throughout a church gathering.
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Reuters reported that the authenticity of the video couldn’t be independently verified, and the identification of the taxi driver remained unclear.
Mulindwa, who describes himself as a prophet, beforehand served 12 months in jail in a defamation-related case. Congo Reality Test had earlier reported that he additionally claimed to have cured coronavirus. Nevertheless, his household and authorized representatives dispute elements of the conviction.
One other church chief linked to Assemblée Chrétienne de Kisangani additionally claimed to own a remedy. A college pupil, James Baka of Kisangani, informed Reuters he personally witnessed what he described as a “miraculous therapeutic”.
Meta, fact-checkers and the misinformation battle
The October video linked to Mulindwa’s church was flagged by Reuters and later reviewed by Meta via its third-party fact-checking programme.
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Below Meta’s system, fact-checkers assign rankings that decide whether or not content material receives warning labels, decreased visibility or different restrictions. The ultimate enforcement motion will depend on the evaluation made by impartial fact-checking companions.
In the meantime, Gaston Mukendi, director of native information outlet Tshopo Kwetu, defended his organisation’s reporting on the alleged sickness, saying the publication was performing inside its journalistic obligations.
Colonial legacy and mistrust in medical methods
Specialists say distrust of medical establishments in Congo can’t be separated from the nation’s colonial previous.
The DRC gained independence from Belgium in 1960 after many years of brutal colonial exploitation underneath King Leopold II. Historians estimate that thousands and thousands died throughout Leopold’s rule because of compelled labour, violence, hunger and illness. Ladies and youngsters have been steadily held hostage throughout rubber extraction operations, in response to Nationwide Geographic.
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Public well being researchers say this historical past — mixed with controversial Western medical trials in Africa — has contributed to deep-rooted scepticism towards vaccines, healthcare employees and government-backed well being campaigns.
“When populations don’t belief vaccines, well being employees or authorities insurance policies, they cease accessing providers that might assist them survive,” Tangunza was quoted as saying.
How authorities responded after the killings
Following the killings of Placide Mbungi and John Tangakeya, misinformation unfold quickly throughout native communities and on-line platforms.
In response, provincial authorities issued printed public notices denying the rumours and urging residents to not consider false claims.
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AIRA additionally launched a counter-misinformation marketing campaign utilizing radio broadcasts, on-line messaging and group outreach employees to rebuild public belief and put together communities for future well being emergencies.
Nevertheless, the organisation is going through extreme funding constraints following cuts in international support, in response to AIRA director Ho. An AI-powered platform designed to watch on-line misinformation traits has reportedly change into inactive as a result of the organisation can now not afford subscription prices.
Well being specialists say continued collaboration between the WHO and AIRA may play a vital function in addressing the rising misinformation disaster in central Africa.
(This text was curated by Salonee Kulkarni, an intern with The Indian Categorical.)
