Johannesburg, November 29: Three women in Zimbabwe accused of raping at least four men to get their sperm for traditional rituals.
The women, who have been charged with 17 counts of aggravated indecent assault, go on trial today in a case that has shocked the country.
Police officials in Zimbabwe believe the alleged perpetrators are part of a nationwide syndicate that may be using the sperm for a traditional ritual claiming to make people lucky and wealthy.
They were apprehended in a town about 170 miles outside of the capital city of Harare after police found 31 used condoms in their car. At least nine men have come forward with similar stories of being attacked.
One of the alleged victims told his story on a popular national talk show called Maichiamba. He said he was raped after accepting a car ride from the women.
“One of the women threw water in my face and they injected me with something that gave me a strong sexual desire. They stopped the car and made me have sex with each of them several times, using condoms,” he said. “When they had finished they left me in the bush totally naked.”
The man said he went to the hospital to be treated for the drug’s effects and called the police. After facing ridicule and scorn over the attack, he said he came forward publicly because he wanted to help other victims.
-Agencies