Police in Nsanje yesterday arrested Eric Aniva who, according to a story published by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Thursday, claims to have slept with 104 women and girls in a form of “ritual cleansing”.
Southern Region Police spokesperson James Kadadzera could not confirm the arrest as he asked for more time.
However, Senior Chief Malemia of Nsanje, in a telephone interview, confirmed the development, saying it was actually him and other traditional leaders who facilitated the arrest after summoning Aniva in the presence of the District Commissioner (DC) Gift Lapozo and other civil society organisations concerned with the matter.
Said Malemia: “We summoned him today [Monday] so that he could tell us first hand information on what has been published by BBC. At first he said he was into the business but he stopped and when we put it to him that the report by BBC is recent and it shows that information was gathered this same month, he started changing stories by telling us he is not the only one as he has 10 other accomplices in the same business.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has deplored the practice of ritual cleansing ceremonies involving sex with young girls that continues to occur in different communities across Malawi.
Last Thursday, BBC published an article featuring Aniva. In the article, which went viral on social media, said Aniva, who has two wives and five children, claimed he is paid from $4 (about K2 900) to $7 (about K5 075) each time he performs his “fisi” duties.
