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.
2 Responses
What kind of culture is that? In this age and time. What a perverse generation. All the women and girls in Malawi should be advice to run an HIV test, those that have been affected should put in a costudy and they not be allow to mingle with those that doesn’t have the virus. Others should able to learn from them. For that hyena he should be sentence to death immediately.
Well the president is right the man has to be arrested and punished. He could have enticed the girls with his money and i am sure he never disclosed to the girls that he is HIV positive. Tract need to be punished.The girls were only targeting the money they will make from Mr Eric Aniva. Mr Aniva did not tell them of his HIV infection. He has infected a lot of ladies without letting them know his condition. The girls on the other hand are money conscious and never thought of the danger Mr Eric Aniva is putting them. That is why he need to be arrested and punished for his hiding disease.