Malawi
President Peter Mutharika has ordered the arrest of Eric Aniva, an
HIV-infected man in Nsanje district of the southern Malawi who has the
job of devirginising girls who had just their first menstruation.
Aniva, a Malawian
in his forties, is what's known as a 'hyena' - a man paid to have sex
with young girls as a form of ritual cleansing.
Sexual cleansing
involving 'hyenas' is common practice in southern Malawi- and women are
required to participate in it at various points in their life, including
if their husband has died or if they have an abortion.
The story Aniva has
hit headlines in international media prompting President Mutharika to
condemn the sexual violations against girls in Nsanje district and other
parts of the country, saying it is v"ery disturbing and unacceptable."
Mutharika,
according to a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Mgeme
Kalilani, said it is shokcing that the sexual violations are reportedly
done with the full knowledge and support of some parents who ironically
are supposed to be the guardians of the innocent children and the girls.
"Am reliably
informed that these violations are done under the guise of culture which
I find to be very extremely unacceptable," said Mutharika.
The story has gone
viral after a BBC News report in which Aniva explained that he takes a
child's virginity in a three -day sexual cleansing ritual.
Aniva said: "Most
of those I have slept with are girls, school-going girls. Some girls are
just 12 or 13 years old, but I prefer them older.
"All these girls
find pleasure in having me as their hyena. They actually are proud and
tell other people that this man is a real man, he knows how to please a
woman."
Aniva says he is
one of 10 "hyenas" operating in his community and he is paid K3,000 to
K6,000 (about $3.9 to $6.6) by locals to perform the rituals.
Despite his
declaration that there was nothing wrong with the practice and that the
girls actually enjoyed it, one local woman said she was pressured into
taking part.
President
Mutharika, reacting to the reports, has directed the Police to
"immediately arrest Mr. Eric Aniva", a State House statement said.
The President also
wants police to investigate him and prosecute the sexual predator for
the defilement cases which he apparently confesses to.
"And since Mr. Eric
Aniva confesses to be HIV positive and that he never uses protection in
his evil acts against the innocent girls and women, he should further
be investigated for exposing the young girls to contracting HIV and
further be charged accordingly," President Mutharika said.
The President has
also directed the Police, the District Commissioner and Chiefs in Nsanje
to investigate all men and parents involved in this shocking
malpractice.
" All people
involved in this malpractice should beheld accountable for subjecting
their children and women to this despicable evil," said Mutharika.
The President says harmful cultural and traditional practices such as sexual cleansing cannot be accepted in Malawi.
"These practices
not only cast a shadow on the hard-earned achievements my Government has
made on issues such as violence and HIV prevention but they also go
against a vision of development that seeks to ensure that the youth (and
in particular young girls), are able to achieve their full potential.
"Furthermore, these
horrific practices although done by a few also tarnish the image of the
whole nation of Malawi internationally and bring shame to us all," said
Mutharika.
The President reiterates that his government will not tolerate human rights violations upon any child, girl or woman.
Mutharika has since
called on all citizens and in particular guardians as well as parents
and leaders at all levels, to guard against harmful practices that
expose children, girls and women to danger and violate their fundamental
human rights.
" Children, girls
and women must be cared for, protected and provided every opportunity to
survive peacefully and become productive citizens.
remarkable!!1
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