Eric Aniva: Man with HIV 'had sex with 104 women and girls'

Trial: Eric Aniva claimed he slept with more than 100 women and girls while keeping quiet about his HIV-positive status
Associated Press
Jamie Bullen17 November 2016

A verdict is expected this week as a man with HIV who claimed he had sex with 104 women and girls as part of an “initiation ritual” faces trial.

Eric Aniva, a sex worker from Malawi, was arrested in July on presidential orders after he admitted having unprotected sex with girls as young as 12.

He also revealed he kept quiet about his HIV-positive status.

Aniva told the BBC he was hired by relatives of the girls to have sex with them as part of an initiation before they entered puberty.

He added that he wanted to end the practice.

Aniva also claimed to have sex with newly bereaved widows as part of a “cleansing” ritual.

His interview sparked outrage in the country and led to Malawi president Peter Mutharika condemning him for committing “evil acts”.

The president reportedly ordered Aniva’s arrest on the grounds of sexually assaulting young girls - but nobody came forward to testify against him.

However, Aniva was charged with having sex with bereaved widows, which is outlawed under Malawi's Gender Equality Act.

Two women have given evidence against Aniva during his trial in Nsanje with a verdict expected on Friday.

If convicted, Aniva faces a possible five-year jail term.

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