Hyena man' convicted in Malawi

Remember the story that BBC carried about the Hyena man that said his job was to have sex with virgins and widows as part of a traditional purification ritual? Well, he has been convicted!

In the first case of its kind in Malawi, an HIV-positive man has been convicted after admitting to having sex with 104 women and not disclosing his status.

Eric Aniva was found guilty under the country’s gender laws of what the lawyers describe as a "harmful cultural practice" -  forced sex with newly widowed women as part of a cleansing ceremony. 

In an interview with the BBC prior to his conviction he also admitted to having sex with girls as young as 12 to prepare them for adulthood. He was subsequently arrested under presidential orders.

Two women testified that he had been paid by traditional communities to act as a so-called hyena – the word used for a man hired to have sex with newly bereaved widows.

The practice is outlawed under Malawian law. Mr Aniva also admitted that he had been paid to have sex with underage girls and continued this despite his HIV-positive status. 

The case has attracted international media attention and sharply divided opinion as to how widespread the practice remains.

Great move arresting him. I hope this is followed by intensive reorientation programme that would educate the community members about the dangers of involving in such practices.

Culled from bbc.co.uk