In the capital and Vakinankaratra region, suspected abductions have escalated into mob lynchings. Two suspects have been killed. A mentally ill man, victim of rumors, was burned alive on Thursday, July 30 in Dango, Faratsiho.
Among dozens of individuals wrongly accused of child abduction and lynched by crowds, two have died. One was beaten on July 9 in Tsaramasay, the other two days ago at Dango market in Faratsiho.
The latter, a man in his thirties suffering from mental illness, was burned alive after being suspected of attempting to kidnap a 6-year-old child. His relatives and the local security committee confirmed he was not a kidnapper. On site, district chief Alberthine Ravololotinarisoa, deputy Nomenjanahary Ramilison, and mayor Valohery Mampionona condemned this summary justice and reminded that taking a life constitutes a crime.
These collective acts of violence add to a series of incidents triggered by kidnapping rumors. In Antsirabe, a crying child accompanied by his sister was mistaken for a victim. The crowd, ready to lynch the girl, gathered outside Ambohimena police station. Their mother eventually intervened to confirm it was her daughter, ending the confusion.
Trust
Divisional police commissioner Talily Damy, regional director of public security for Vakinankaratra, explained that several reports of kidnapping attempts proved to be misunderstandings or situations involving people with mental disorders.
"In Vohijanahary, Betafo and Faratsiho, individuals identified as abductors were people suffering from mental illness," the director stated. He also mentioned cases of false abductions, where some staged their own kidnapping to extort money from relatives.
These events echo earlier vigilante cases in early July in Antananarivo, where suspects were attacked by mobs. The National Police reaffirmed that only justice can decide and that spreading false information on social media can have dramatic consequences.
Trust in law enforcement and respect for legal procedures are presented as the only guarantees to protect society and prevent fear from turning into violence.
Gustave Mparany