MAN HELD FOR ‘RITUAL CLEANSING’ OF YOUNG GIRLS

Malawi police on Tuesday arrested a man who said he was hired by families to have sex with more than 100 young women, including children, in what was described as ritual cleansing.

President Peter Mutharika ordered the arrest of Eric Aniva, who told local and international media he had been paid to have sex with young girls. Aniva also told the media he was HIV-positive. Aniva was charged with multiple cases of defilement, Malawi Police Insp.-Gen. Lexten Kachama said.

Aniva claimed to be a paid sex worker, known as a “hyena,” hired by families and village elders to have sex with young girls once they reach puberty as a form of ritual cleansing.

Malawi’s president called it a “shocking malpractice.”