THE controversial virginity test, which many oppose and consider a violation of human rights, has saved a young girl from sexual assault allegedly by her uncle.
The man, who cannot be named as he is a relative of a victim of sexual assault, was immediately arrested and appeared in court earlier this week.
The 10-year-old girl was one of dozens of girls who were recently subjected to the controversial test, which was administered by elderly women during a ceremony in Mount Frere three weeks ago.
When one of the testers, Princess Sigudu, 71, found the girl was not a virgin, she informed her fellow testers and contacted the authorities.
This week she told the Saturday Dispatch it was during the Nguni custom of ukuhlolwa kweentombi – or virginity testing – at the AmaBhaca chief’s Elundzini Royal Kraal where she became suspicious with the child’s results. She was one of 76 girls between the ages of eight and 21 tested on September 25.
“I established the young girl was tampered . I did not tell anyone to avoid embarrassing the young soul and called her aside,” said Sigudu.
After first establishing trust between the two, the young girl opened up to her.
The child told her she had earlier been threatened and told not to attend the ceremony. However, she sneaked out of the house.
“She cried and I consoled as I would have my own granddaughter. She said she was sexually abused by her own uncle who stays with her,” said Sigudu
Her uncle was arrested on the same day and now faces a charge of rape. The matter has been postponed to October 21 for a bail hearing. He remains in custody.
The Grade 4 pupil, who was staying with her elderly grandmother and two uncles at their Elubhacweni village home in Mount Frere, has since been removed from her home. She has been taken to a place of safety and continues to attend school.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Edith Mjoko confirmed the arrest and that the man will appear again in court later this month.
Maidens, schoolchildren and community members, led by chief Madzikane II Diko, picketed outside the Mount Frere Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday against bail for the accused.
Traditionalists believe the girl would have continued living in fear had it not been for the detection during the test.
Mlawu Tyatyeka of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities said the test could be used to detect women abuse.
“We have seen many adult women telling for the first time they were sexually abused by family members. Those who criticise the rite must now see its good,” Tyatyeka said.
The custom of virginity testing, which dates back centuries, has long been slammed by women’s rights groups as violating the rights of women and young girls.
Masimanyane Women Support Centre director Lesley-Ann Foster said the rite was illegal and should not be practised.
“Virginity testing is a rite of practice that discriminates against girls.
“They don’t have a right to say they don’t want it. To have somebody put their fingers in their inner most parts is a violation. The fact she had been able to find that does not make it right. It is a practice that is misused, it’s also illegal, because it has been outlawed,” said Foster.
Jeanette Sera, a social worker at People Opposing Women Abuse, said they were against testing.
“Girls are tested as if they have the sole responsibility of ensuring they are virgins, meanwhile boys are expected to do whatever they want. In this situation it’s a good thing they found out about the child being molested,” Sera said.
But Sigudu, a virginity tester since 2000, lashed out at those criticising the custom and referred to them as nothing but prophets of doom who want to do away with all African culture.
“They must respect our custom and hands off. Look now, we have seen what is wrong with the child. We are not forcing anyone to undergo the test,” she said.
Sigudu also lashed out at the government, saying it had “succumbed to white pressure” and some of the lawmakers are “white-washed” into not recognising African culture. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za/abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Virginity test on child, 10, uncovers
The man, who cannot be named as he is a relative of a victim of sexual assault, was immediately arrested and appeared in court earlier this week.
The 10-year-old girl was one of dozens of girls who were recently subjected to the controversial test, which was administered by elderly women during a ceremony in Mount Frere three weeks ago.
When one of the testers, Princess Sigudu, 71, found the girl was not a virgin, she informed her fellow testers and contacted the authorities.
This week she told the Saturday Dispatch it was during the Nguni custom of ukuhlolwa kweentombi – or virginity testing – at the AmaBhaca chief’s Elundzini Royal Kraal where she became suspicious with the child’s results. She was one of 76 girls between the ages of eight and 21 tested on September 25.
“I established the young girl was tampered . I did not tell anyone to avoid embarrassing the young soul and called her aside,” said Sigudu.
After first establishing trust between the two, the young girl opened up to her.
The child told her she had earlier been threatened and told not to attend the ceremony. However, she sneaked out of the house.
“She cried and I consoled as I would have my own granddaughter. She said she was sexually abused by her own uncle who stays with her,” said Sigudu
Her uncle was arrested on the same day and now faces a charge of rape. The matter has been postponed to October 21 for a bail hearing. He remains in custody.
The Grade 4 pupil, who was staying with her elderly grandmother and two uncles at their Elubhacweni village home in Mount Frere, has since been removed from her home. She has been taken to a place of safety and continues to attend school.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Edith Mjoko confirmed the arrest and that the man will appear again in court later this month.
Maidens, schoolchildren and community members, led by chief Madzikane II Diko, picketed outside the Mount Frere Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday against bail for the accused.
Traditionalists believe the girl would have continued living in fear had it not been for the detection during the test.
Mlawu Tyatyeka of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities said the test could be used to detect women abuse.
“We have seen many adult women telling for the first time they were sexually abused by family members. Those who criticise the rite must now see its good,” Tyatyeka said.
The custom of virginity testing, which dates back centuries, has long been slammed by women’s rights groups as violating the rights of women and young girls.
Masimanyane Women Support Centre director Lesley-Ann Foster said the rite was illegal and should not be practised.
“Virginity testing is a rite of practice that discriminates against girls.
“They don’t have a right to say they don’t want it. To have somebody put their fingers in their inner most parts is a violation. The fact she had been able to find that does not make it right. It is a practice that is misused, it’s also illegal, because it has been outlawed,” said Foster.
Jeanette Sera, a social worker at People Opposing Women Abuse, said they were against testing.
“Girls are tested as if they have the sole responsibility of ensuring they are virgins, meanwhile boys are expected to do whatever they want. In this situation it’s a good thing they found out about the child being molested,” Sera said.
But Sigudu, a virginity tester since 2000, lashed out at those criticising the custom and referred to them as nothing but prophets of doom who want to do away with all African culture.
“They must respect our custom and hands off. Look now, we have seen what is wrong with the child. We are not forcing anyone to undergo the test,” she said.
Sigudu also lashed out at the government, saying it had “succumbed to white pressure” and some of the lawmakers are “white-washed” into not recognising African culture. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za/abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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