Women up for testing virginity
2003-09-26 21:49
Welkom - Two women accused of testing young girls' virginity before allowing them to join a church choir appeared in the Welkom regional court on Friday on charges of indecent assault. They were both given suspended sentences.
Eight children between the ages of seven and 12 underwent such "tests", which were allegedly carried out with fingers and candles. The practice came to light after the children complained to their parents.
Magistrate Andre Groenewald found that Elizabeth Mbudlela, 27, and Christina Letsoala, 29, both from Chris Hani Park in Bronville, did not conduct the tests for pleasure.
He said that according to old Bantu law, virginity was sacred. The loss of virginity was immediately reported to the authorities.
The woman, who admitted guilt, were sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for four years.
The woman said that virginity was a prerequisite for children who wanted to sing in the choir.
They admitted that they had not had permission to carry out the tests and that they regret their actions.
The church's name was not printed on any of the court documents but according to the investigative officer, the church services where conducted in a corrugated iron structure in the Chris Hani squatter camp.