Zambia Keeps Prosecuting Consenting Adults For Marrying

Another news item out of Zambia details the prosecuting of consenting adults in an attempt to break up a marriage. If you think this only happens in Africa, you are sorely mistaken. Where I live, in the US, many states still prosecute in these cases, and it happens in many other countries as well. Chambo Ng'uni reports at dail-mail.co.zm...

A 27-YEAR-OLD man of Kabwe and his young sister aged 20 have appeared in the Kabwe Magistrate’s Court to answer to charges of incest.
 
Aaron Musonda an electrician and Maureen Musonda a grade 12 pupil in Kabwe both appeared before Kabwe resident magistrate John Mbuzi on Thursday for explanation of the charge of incest.

The accused persons are both residents of Makululu Township and they share the same father but different mothers.

So they are half siblings. For all we know they were not raised together and this is a case of Genetic Sexual Attraction.

The police have slapped Musonda with a charge of incest by males contrary to Section 159(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
 
It is alleged that Musonda on dates unknown but between December 1 last year and February 27 this year in Kabwe, knowing that Maureen was his sister, allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
 
His sister has been charged with incest by females, contrary to Section 161 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
 

The court heard that Maureen on dates unknown but between December 1 last year and February 27 this year in Kabwe, allegedly permitted her elder brother to have sex with her.

And...? What's the problem? Notice, no explanation of harm to anyone is cited in the article.

The police at Kasanda Police Station last Friday confirmed that the two were reported to the police by their father who wanted the police to end their marriage.

What a rat. So it is OK for him to have sex with and impregnate at least two women, but not OK for other consenting adults to love each other? He should have read this.

A police source said according to their father, siblings allegedly got married last year and when their family attempted to end their affair they fled Kabwe.
 
The source said they resurfaced this year, and their family heard that they were renting a house in Makululu.

Renting a house! Oh, those scary people! Seriously, what a waste of law enforcement resources. Let them be together, and let them marry if they want. There is no good reason to deny them their rights.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,brother-sister,consanguineous,courts,family reaction,GSA,incest,lack of equality harms,prosecution,siblings

Newspaper Editorial Calls For Hate

A newspaper in Zambia is calling for more hate in response to recent shocking discoveries that people are loving each other even though they are siblings. Here is the editorial at daily-mail.co.zm...

THE continued reports of incestuous marriages in Central Province are worrying and raise many social and psychological questions.

What is there to worry about?

We urge relevant Government organs and non-governmental organisations to carry out a research to establish if this could be widespread and unravel the factors that could be driving people in this particular province into such marriages.

Yes, it is common. What is driving them to it is usually the same thing that drives any lovers.

This kind of behaviour should not be allowed to take root because it could have devastating social and biological consequences.

Such as...? Such as...? They got nuthin'.

Human beings are not animals that are ruled by instinct. We are ruled by reason.

Some of us are ruled by reason. Others want to interfere in the marriages of strangers.

Surely, how could a brother and sister have the courage to engage in a sexual relationship and even have children between them?

I can show you video.

This does not happen even in the most liberal and morally depraved western societies.

This happens everywhere and always has.

Incest is a criminal offence in Zambia.

Not for any good reason. 

It is disturbing to imagine the stigma the innocent children that could be born out of such a perverted marriage would have to endure.

Uh, then stop stigmatizing them.

What a pile of crap that editorial is. I hope the person who wrote it doesn't actually get paid for that drivel.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,family reaction,incest,lack of equality harms,law,media,persecution,prejudice,siblings,stigma

Cousins Can't Love Each Other Because it Makes Gay Babies

Or so says someone by the name of  Ropafadzo Mapimhidze writing at newsday.co.zw about the cruel treatment (including criminal conviction) recently of a couple of consenting adults in Zimbabwe, prosecuted for loving each other while being first cousins. You know, like hundred of millions of other people throughout history and alive today and legally married.

This story has generated so much debate and I decided to do a bit of research on reasons why incest is taboo, and why incest occurs despite the prohibition. And what the consequences are.

Where this is taboo, it is because of superstition, ignorance, legislative inertia, and control. It happens anyway because consenting adults love each other more than they pay attention to following unjust laws.

Such children can be born with extra toes, three eyes, and they can also grow to become homosexual, they may also have a low IQ and a potential to mentally harm future offspring, says the website. It also notes that such children can become people who are not able to interact with others or express love.

First of all, they were not prosecuted for having children. They were prosecuted for having sex. There is a difference. Also, all the columnist described above happens with unrelated lovers, too. In fact, we do not prevent people with obvious, serious, genetic diseases and birth defects from dating, having sex, having children, or marrying. But there are hundreds of millions of children from first cousins who are healthy, attractive, bright, and very social. Finally, there's nothing wrong with being gay.

The New York Times recently reported that first cousins are somewhat more likely than unrelated parents to have a child with a serious birth defect, mental retardation or genetic disease, but their increased risk is nowhere near as large as most people think, the newspaper quoted research done by some scientists.

But who needs scientists when we can listen to bigotry instead?

At least the piece does mention Genetic Sexual Attraction. Then it goes on to...

“Traditionally, such matters were dealt with by chiefs who then would find the rightful people to raise products of incest. We have to go back to our roots and see how best these matters can be dealt with the Zimbabwean way because these children are innocent victims of incest,” Kandiero said.

You know what makes children the biggest victims? When strangers use the power of unjust laws to force their parents apart and break up their home and brand their parents as criminals.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,children,consanguineous,cousins,GSA,lack of equality harms,myths,persecution,prejudice,prosecution,stigma,Zimbabwe

Updates on Two Criminal Cases

A sentence has been issued in this absurd prosecution of two adults in Zimbabwe for loving each other and (gasp!) being cousins! Here's a report from radiovop.com...

Two members of the Feremenga family from Dzivarasekwa Extension in Harare, whose incestuous relationship resulted in two pregnancies, were yesterday convicted and ordered to perform 630 hours of community service at different institutions in the suburb.

Robson (21) and Ashley Feremenga (19), whose fathers are blood brothers, pleaded guilty to incest charges when they appeared before Harare regional magistrate Adonia Masawi and were slapped with a 36-month prison term each.

But Masawi later suspended 18 months of their sentence on condition of good behaviour and again suspended the remainder on condition each of them performs 630 hours of community service.

Got that? If you break up your family, you can stay out of prison. Of course, the bigots in the neighborhood are going to have a field day being sadistic towards you anyway, and we won't stop that. Because, you know, you shouldn't be allowed to love each other.

The court was nonetheless, left in stitches when the two relatives insisted they wanted to stay together as a couple despite the implications of their unlawful relationship.

The cruelty is appalling. First cousins have been marrying for all of human history. Everyone involved in prosecuting these two should look into their heart, if they one, and clear it of this hatred.

The other update is about a case out of Nevada in which there was a sentencing a while back. I don't think the media ever specified the relationship, but my guess would be uncle-niece. This update comes from elkodaily.com reported by Dylan Woolf Harris.

Hughes isn’t specifically appealing his conviction, but instead the district court’s decision to allow prosecutors to use evidence gathered during a search of Hughes’ home. Leading up to trial, the defense filed a motion to suppress on grounds that a search warrant request wasn’t supported by probable cause, but District Judge Nancy Porter held that the warrant was supported and the prosecutor’s evidence was permissible.

The investigation and eventual search of Hughes’ home began in late 2008 after Kimberly Harphant, an acquaintance of Hughes, met with sheriff’s detective Kevin McKinney. She brought with her an unsigned, handwritten letter she said she took from Hughes’ home one day, as well as a prepared document of cut-and-pasted emails between Hughes and the victim.

Harphant had helped Hughes set up a business email account to which she remembered the password, and had lent him a phone. She was retrieving the phone when she found the letter, according to court documents.

The letter appeared to indicate romantic love between two people, but “in addition to a complete lack of attribution, it contains no references to a past or existing sexual relationship,” the brief states. Similarly, the emails’ authors were unverified and didn’t mention sex.

The appeal brief asserts McKinney made little attempt to corroborate or verify the items Harphant presented to him.

Interesting.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,consanguineous,cousins,incest,lack of equality harms,love,Nevada,prosecution,siblings,Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Still Prosecuting Consenting Adults

From allafrica.com comes this report of the criminal prosecution of first cousins for the "crime" of loving each other.

Two cousins who were involved in an incestuous relationship which resulted in the birth of a girl and current pregnancy will perform 630 hours of community service. The two's fathers are brothers and traditionally are expected to treat each other as brother and sister. Ashley Feremenga (19) and her cousin Robson Feremenga (21) were living as husband and wife in Dzivaresekwa before neighbours alerted Ashley's father Jonasi.

I wonder what the love lives of those neighbors are like... if they have a love life in the first place. Must not be very fulfilling if they have time to rat people out for loving each other.

I'm sure their child is healthy. Otherwise, you can be sure this report would have noted any problems.

The duo was convicted after their own plea of guilt when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Aidonia Masawi who sentenced them to a 36 month-imprisonment term.

What a waste of the court.

Ashley's father Jonasi only came to know about their relationship after being advised by his neighbours.

He filed a police report leading to their arrest.

Rat. The lovers should keep his grandchildren away from him.

Fortunately, very few US states have ridiculous laws criminalizing consensual sex between first cousins. About half of US states will legally marry first cousins, and such marriages are common in many countries today, and have been very common throughout history. Prosecuting consenting adults for loving each other is outrageous.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,children,consanguineous,courts,cousins,family reaction,lack of equality harms,love,prejudice,prosecution,Zimbabwe

Update on Zambia Attack on Family

Bertha Chipapuka, 35, with her 11-month-old baby and her ‘brotherly’ husband Mukuwa Nicholas Bulaya, 38, appeared before Serenje Magistrate’s Court for incest.

Authorities in Zambia continue with their attack on a family, which we wrote about here before. Chambo Ng'uni reports at daily-mail.co.zm...

SCORES of residents yesterday thronged the Serenje Magistrate’s Court to hear the case of incest involving Mukuwa Nicholas Bulaya and his younger sister Bertha Mwenda Chipapuka. 

Some residents arrived at Serenje Magistrate’s Court before 08:00 hours and scrambled for a few seats inside the courtroom when the doors were opened while others stood on the doorway and windows to hear the case.

So much interest. Are they voyeurs?

Mr Ngosa said the court decided to hear the cases against Bulaya and Chipapuka separately in the interest of justice since the two siblings are separately charged.

And the victim is....? Is...? No victim! No crime!

“I am asking for my sister to be released so that she can look for the things that the child needs and also bring me food and soap since no one from our family has visited us since we were arrested,” Bulaya said.

Mr Ngosa rejected the application and told Bulaya that he had no powers to release his sister (Chipapuka) because her case was being heard by another court.

Infuriating.

Let them go and apologize for ever interfering. Of course, even if that happened, their lives have been ruined by the outrageous bigotry and invasion of privacy to which they're being subjected. There is no good reason for this to be a matter for law enforcement to begin with.

Ten Myths About Sibling Consanguinamory

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,family reaction,GSA,incest,lack of equality harms,love,prejudice,prosecution,siblings

Out In Africa

Thabo Seroke has an important commentary printed at thoughtleader.co.za about human rights and civil rights in some African countries.

A couple of months ago, Uganda asked a question that could usher in the systematic hate aimed at a group of people. The question was simple: Who is going to inspire the senseless murder of gender-variant people in Africa?

This was not a view that needed to be vocalised by Ugandans, but many nations responded. Nigeria is the latest. The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which provides penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment for gay marriage and a maximum of 10 years for membership or encouragement of gay clubs, societies and LGBTI organisations, was last week signed into law by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

Since then, nearly 40 people have been arrested and many more threatened with violence.

Frightening stuff.

History provides many examples of same-sex practices such as the “boy-wives” of the Azande in contemporary Sudan and Congo, the gender-crossing queers of the Hausa Bori culture in … wait for it … modern-day Nigeria! Lesbian relations were also prominent among co-wives in polygamous marriages in 19th century Southern Sudan — the same polygamous practice frowned upon by the western world — which leads me to an unsurprising fact. Colonialism imposed this prejudice and other divisive ideals on a number of non-western societies.

Same-gender sexuality and relationships, as well as polyamorous relationships, are nothing new.

The issue in countries such as Uganda, Malawi and Nigeria isn’t a “gay issue”, it’s a human-rights issue.

Precisely!

We must stand up for the rights of ALL.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,lack of equality harms,LGBT,Malawi,polygamy,polygyny,same-sex,Uganda

What Do Montana and Zambia Have in Common?

Both places criminally prosecute adults for consensual sex. We told you in this posting how a family was being broken up by the prosecution of siblings who had been living as spouses. Barbara Chanda gives this infuriating update at daily-mail.co.zm...

MINISTER of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Joseph Kasonde says the ministry is assessing the plight of the abandoned children of the incestuous couple of Serenje.

Dr Katema said it was unfortunate that the innocent children have been abandoned by their extended family and the community.

Their parents shouldn't have been taken away from them in the first place!

After Nicholas Mukuwa Bulaya, 38, and Bertha Chipapuka, 35, were arrested and charged for incest, their relatives and community abandoned the five children, who are now reportedly living on their own at their parents’ farm.

This problem is one the authorities have created for themselves, and children are suffering as a result.

And yes, Montana is still going ahead with a prosecution as well, one that we told you about in this posting. Emily Foster reports at abcfoxmontana.com...

A man accused of having consensual sex with his 19-year-old daughter pleads not guilty in Missoula District Court.

Russell Smith, 48, is charged with one felony count of incest.

Court documents show Smith moved from Alaska to Missoula to live with his daughter and her roommate.

The girl's roommate called police when she learned Smith and his daughter were having sex, and were planning to get married.

The roommate is a rat. Prosecuting adults for CONSENSUAL sex is ridiculous. Let them be together, and let them marry.

Two examples of why relationship rights and full marriage equality are needed for ALL adults.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,father-daughter,GSA,incest,lack of equality harms,Montana,prosecution,reunion

Zambia Still Prosecuting Consenting Adults

CHAMBO NG’UNI reports at daily-mail.co.zm that authorities in Zambia are wasting efforts that could go to fighting child abuse as they are instead spent on prosecuting consenting adults for loving each other.

BERTHA Mwenda Chipapuka and her elder brother Mukuwa Nicholas Bulaya yesterday appeared before the Serenje Magistrate’s Court in which the charge of incest they are facing was explained to them.

Chipapuka, 35, and Bulaya, 38, have been married for 14 years and they have five children, with their first child being 13 years and the last aged 11 months.

And...? Why are they being prosecuted for living each other? Where is the harm?

Mr Chiluba informed Chipapuka that she was facing an offence of “incest contrary to Section 159(1) of the Penal code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia as read with Act number 15 of 2003”.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2000 and December 29, last year in Serenje, Chipapuka had unlawful carnal knowledge of Bulaya, who to her knowledge is her biological brother.

Why is this a crime? It shouldn't be. I wonder who ratted them out? What will become of the children with their parents being forced apart and imprisoned?

Bulaya is also alleged to have had carnal knowledge of his immediate younger sister Chipapuka and he committed the offence between January 1, 2000 and December 29, 2013.

And who exactly is the victim? Since their names are different I'm wondering if they are half-siblings and if this is a case of  Genetic Sexual Attraction. Regardless, they have been together for a long time and their marriage has lasted longer than many others. What is the problem?

The article does not mention any problems with the children, and I'm sure that would have been mentioned if there were problems. This is another example of why we need full marriage equality in every country sooner rather than later. Although this is in Zambia, prosecutions like this happen in many places around the world, including the Americas, Australia, Europe, and Asia. Nobody should be discriminated against, let alone have to live in fear of prosecution, for loving other adults.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,GSA,incest,lack of equality harms,prosecution,siblings

UGANDA: Anglican Church Bishop Applauds Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Clip recap:

The Anglican Church has applauded Parliament for standing firm and passing the contentious the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. While giving a Christmas sermon at St. Paul's Cathedral Namirembe, Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira said Parliament should continue to protect the country's conservative customs. He also asked Parliament to pass a law, which outlaws abortion. As Agness Nandutu reports, other pentecostal churches also added their voice against homosexuality in Uganda.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,Anglican Church,LGBT rights,Uganda

HRC Denounces Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill

"Representatives of the Ugandan government have launched a shameful sneak attack on their own people.  If this bill becomes law, countless LGBT Ugandans will be condemned to violence or prison. The United States government has a moral obligation to use every tool at its disposal to put a stop to this legislation. Perhaps most disgusting is the fact that American extremists have worked tirelessly in the name of Christianity to see this bill passed. True people of faith know that calling for the imprisonment of an entire community is not in line with Christian values. American Christian faith leaders with ties to Uganda must speak out and call on their colleagues in Uganda to oppose this bill from becoming law." - Chad Griffin, head of the Human Rights Campaign, in a press release that blames (in part) American evangelical Scott Lively for the passage of today's bill.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,Chad Griffin,hate groups,homosexuality,HRC,LGBT rights,religion,Scott Lively,Uganda

Uganda MPs Approve Life In Prison For Homosexuality, Citizens Must Report Gays Or Be Jailed Themselves

The BBC reports:

Uganda's parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for homosexual acts to include life imprisonment in some cases. The anti-homosexuality bill also makes it a crime punishable by a prison sentence not to report gay people. The prime minister opposed the vote, saying not enough MPs were present. The bill has been condemned by world leaders since it was mooted in 2009 - US President Barack Obama called it "odious". The BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga in Kampala says the government knows there will be an international outcry, which could see some countries suspend aid to the country. She says that Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi might follow up on his complaints about a lack of quorum, while it remains to be seen whether President Yoweri Museveni will sign the bill into law.

More from Gay Star News:

The bill will make it illegal to 'promote' homosexuality and will also jail anyone who does not report homosexual activities to the police. Ugandan LGBTI people are said to be 'panicked' and 'afraid for their lives'. It has already been predicted it will lead to more deaths in the LGBTI community. Members of Parliament (MPs) heard every clause in the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009. But debate which was expected to run all day was over very quickly. The bill is now an act of parliament and is just awaiting a signature from President Yoweri Museveni, which could happen as early as tomorrow. Uganda LGBTI activist Frank Mugisha said he was in ‘total shock’, saying the motion had caught every gay rights advocate off guard. He said Kadaga, who promised last year to make the bill law as a ‘Christmas present’ to the nation, had been ‘cleaning up’ any shelved legislation.

Stand by for victory laps by Peter LaBarbera, Scott Lively, and Bryan Fischer.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,homosexuality,Martin SSempa,religion,Uganda

Why Ghana Needs Full Marriage Equality

Ghana not only continues to deny people their fundamental right to marry, but adults continue to be arrested and prosecuted for having consensual sex with each other. Here's the latest example I found, this time a myjoyonline.com... 

Two siblings have been remanded in Police custody for alleged incestuous relationship which produced an 18-year-old boy.

53-year-old Issifu Abubakari and 36-year-old Ramatu were arrested on Wednesday December 11, 2013 and charged with the offence.

With that age difference, it seems possible to me that they are half-siblings and it is possible that Issifu wasn't even around while Ramatu was growing up.

They are alleged to have been in a relationship for about 20 years.

That would make Ramatu 16 years old at the beginning. The age of consent in Ghana is 16.

Kumasi-based Nhyira FM's Ohemeng Tawiah reported that the couple relocated from Dawu, near Agona, to Koforidua after family members and other relatives raised suspicions about their relationship.

So they were already dealing with hostile family and having to move simply because they loved each other. Family should support, not hate.

After 20 years, relatives of the couple discovered that they had been living as husband and wife with an 18-year-old son in his first year in Senior High School.

Even though the brother and sister were summoned to the chief of their village, and made to perform some rites to 'cleanse' them, they continued to have sexual relationship, Ohemeng reported.

Well. yes, they are married except in law, and they obviously love each other. What is the sense in trying to break up a family? If they've been together for 20 years without a problem, why try to stop them? There is no good reason.

They do not mention any problem with their child, so my guess is that that child is healthy, because I'm fairly certain they would have included any significant problems experienced by him in the report. To American eyes, reading that he is 18 and in his first year at Senior High School seems strange, but it is entirely possible he wasn't started in school until later than most American students start.

So what exactly was the problem with their relationship? Other people didn't like the idea. So what? How ridiculous it is to waste resources trying to pry apart adult lovers, especially ones that apparently haven't caused any trouble for anybody. I can guarantee you there are other siblings in Ghana living as spouses, some with children together, just as there are (and always have been) all over the world. The sooner we recognize all adults should have relationship rights, including full marriage equality, the better.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,family reaction,Ghana,GSA,incest,lack of equality harms,love,prejudice,prosecution,siblings

Why Ghana Needs Full Marriage Equality

Ghana not only continues to deny people their fundamental right to marry, but adults continue to be arrested and prosecuted for having consensual sex with each other. Here's the latest example I found, this time a myjoyonline.com... 

Two siblings have been remanded in Police custody for alleged incestuous relationship which produced an 18-year-old boy.

53-year-old Issifu Abubakari and 36-year-old Ramatu were arrested on Wednesday December 11, 2013 and charged with the offence.

With that age difference, it seems possible to me that they are half-siblings and it is possible that Issifu wasn't even around while Ramatu was growing up.

They are alleged to have been in a relationship for about 20 years.

That would make Ramatu 16 years old at the beginning. The age of consent in Ghana is 16.

Kumasi-based Nhyira FM's Ohemeng Tawiah reported that the couple relocated from Dawu, near Agona, to Koforidua after family members and other relatives raised suspicions about their relationship.

So they were already dealing with hostile family and having to move simply because they loved each other. Family should support, not hate.

After 20 years, relatives of the couple discovered that they had been living as husband and wife with an 18-year-old son in his first year in Senior High School.

Even though the brother and sister were summoned to the chief of their village, and made to perform some rites to 'cleanse' them, they continued to have sexual relationship, Ohemeng reported.

Well. yes, they are married except in law, and they obviously love each other. What is the sense in trying to break up a family? If they've been together for 20 years without a problem, why try to stop them? There is no good reason.

They do not mention any problem with their child, so my guess is that that child is healthy, because I'm fairly certain they would have included any significant problems experienced by him in the report. To American eyes, reading that he is 18 and in his first year at Senior High School seems strange, but it is entirely possible he wasn't started in school until later than most American students start.

So what exactly was the problem with their relationship? Other people didn't like the idea. So what? How ridiculous it is to waste resources trying to pry apart adult lovers, especially ones that apparently haven't caused any trouble for anybody. I can guarantee you there are other siblings in Ghana living as spouses, some with children together, just as there are (and always have been) all over the world. The sooner we recognize all adults should have relationship rights, including full marriage equality, the better.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,breaking up homes,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,family reaction,Ghana,GSA,incest,lack of equality harms,love,prejudice,prosecution,siblings

Judge Denies Lively's Plea To Suspend Trial During Appeal To Higher Court

On Friday, Scott Lively filed a demand that his trial for crimes against humanity be suspended while he pursues a dismissal with the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Lively's first motion to dismiss was rejected by the U.S District Court in August. And today the district court again told Lively to go fuck himself. (Via Equality Case Files)

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,crimes against humanity,feds,hate groups,lawsuits,Massachusetts,religion,Scott Lively,Uganda

Incest Charges Against Zambian Woman Dropped

Sylvia Mweetwa reports at times.co.zm that an adult woman in Zambia charged with "incest" has been freed. Once again, reports are too skimpy to give a clear picture of what happened.

A TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD woman of Kapiri Mposhi who is alleged to have been in a secret sexual affair with her 49-year-old father for nine years and has been appearing in court for charges of incest has walked to freedom.

That would have made her 16 when the "sexual affair" started. According to this and this, 16 is the age of consent in Zambia.

This was after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) issued instructions to enter a nolle prosequi into the matter. The woman could be turned into a State witness.

So, does that imply that they now believe it wasn't consensual?

This is in a case in which Gift Mweemba was facing a charge of incest by a female.

Particulars of the offence were that between January 1, 2004 and March 1, 2013, Gift permitted Paid Mweemba, knowing that he was her biological father, to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her contrary to Section 161 (1) of the Laws of Zambia.

It would have been perfectly legal for her to have sex with a complete stranger who was a 40 or 50-year-old, or a neighbor who has been like a father to her since she was born, but not the man she is alleged to have had a "sexual affair" with.

Meanwhile, in the case of Mweemba who is facing one count of incest contrary to Section 159 (1) of the Penal Code Cap 87 as amended by Act No. 15 of 2005 of the Laws of Zambia, the DPP allowed the commencement of trial.

Particulars of the offence are that Mweemba between January 1, 2004 and March 1, 2013, knowing that Gift was his biological daughter, had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

Interesting that they are different parts of the law, but essentially the same charge: consensual incest. If this wasn't consensual he should be charged with rape. If it was consensual it shouldn't be a criminal matter. No information on whether or not he raised her or not, or how they were turned over for prosecution. If he raised her and groomed her for this, that would be quite the story as she was held under his sway all the way through age 25 and it shouldn't be called a "sexual affair" but rather ongoing sexual assault. But if this is different matter, where she actually did freely consent (perhaps not being raised by him at all), the story is that they are wasting resources pursuing his prosecution. The article then goes on to apparently less important criminal matters... like homicide.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,consanguineous,courts,father-daughter,incest,law,prosecution

Incest Charges Against Zambian Woman Dropped

Sylvia Mweetwa reports at times.co.zm that an adult woman in Zambia charged with "incest" has been freed. Once again, reports are too skimpy to give a clear picture of what happened.

A TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD woman of Kapiri Mposhi who is alleged to have been in a secret sexual affair with her 49-year-old father for nine years and has been appearing in court for charges of incest has walked to freedom.

That would have made her 16 when the "sexual affair" started. According to this and this, 16 is the age of consent in Zambia.

This was after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) issued instructions to enter a nolle prosequi into the matter. The woman could be turned into a State witness.

So, does that imply that they now believe it wasn't consensual?

This is in a case in which Gift Mweemba was facing a charge of incest by a female.

Particulars of the offence were that between January 1, 2004 and March 1, 2013, Gift permitted Paid Mweemba, knowing that he was her biological father, to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her contrary to Section 161 (1) of the Laws of Zambia.

It would have been perfectly legal for her to have sex with a complete stranger who was a 40 or 50-year-old, or a neighbor who has been like a father to her since she was born, but not the man she is alleged to have had a "sexual affair" with.

Meanwhile, in the case of Mweemba who is facing one count of incest contrary to Section 159 (1) of the Penal Code Cap 87 as amended by Act No. 15 of 2005 of the Laws of Zambia, the DPP allowed the commencement of trial.

Particulars of the offence are that Mweemba between January 1, 2004 and March 1, 2013, knowing that Gift was his biological daughter, had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

Interesting that they are different parts of the law, but essentially the same charge: consensual incest. If this wasn't consensual he should be charged with rape. If it was consensual it shouldn't be a criminal matter. No information on whether or not he raised her or not, or how they were turned over for prosecution. If he raised her and groomed her for this, that would be quite the story as she was held under his sway all the way through age 25 and it shouldn't be called a "sexual affair" but rather ongoing sexual assault. But if this is different matter, where she actually did freely consent (perhaps not being raised by him at all), the story is that they are wasting resources pursuing his prosecution. The article then goes on to apparently less important criminal matters... like homicide.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,consanguineous,courts,father-daughter,incest,law,prosecution

Nigerian Man Arrested

No, it wasn't for a scam. Well, actually, the thing could be a scam of sorts, because we're lacking a lot of information. This report from dailyindependentnig.com says he was arrested for "incest."

A 53-year-old man and staff of the Kogi State Printing and Publishing Corporation,  publishers, Yusuf Alabi, is currently in police net for allegedly having carnal knowledge of his two daughters.

I'm not sure why it matters who employs him, unless that company is associated with the news source. More likely, I think, is that the company is a competitor. His employer's name was included, but information that could be crucial was left out. Let's keep reading...

The acting Commissioner for Police in the state, Mr. Austin Evbakhavbokun, disclosed this while parading some suspects before newsmen in Lokoja, recently.

He said the suspect was apprehended following a complaint by one Abdulmalik to the state Investigation and Intelligence Bureau, alleging that his father was having sexual intercourse with immediate younger sister.

According to the police chief, when the boy challenged his father for committing incest, the suspect threatened to kill him if he exposes him, adding that upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to the crime, which he posited, was meant to protect his children from dying prematurely.

Really? This sounds like other wild claims, such as when a man will accuse a "witch" of magically shrinking/removing his penis, which has sometimes caused lynching, or the vicious lie that having intercourse with a virgin will cure HIV or AIDS. If he really made that claim, the guy is obviously a problem. However, I do not rule out the possibility of this being a set-up. The man is 53. It is entirely possible that all of his children are well into adulthood and this was consensual sex. If that's not the case, he should be charged with rape. However, we don't know the ages of his daughters, and we don't know if he has always been in their life or not. We don't even know if the person reporting him is his son or rather a half-brother to the daughter(s) or if he has any reason to make a false accusation. If the guy is a predator, lock him up in a bad place for a very long time. If this is a matter of consensual sex between adults, it shouldn't be a crime in the first place.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,consanguineous,family reaction,father-daughter,GSA,incest,law,media,prosecution

Nigerian Man Arrested

No, it wasn't for a scam. Well, actually, the thing could be a scam of sorts, because we're lacking a lot of information. This report from dailyindependentnig.com says he was arrested for "incest."

A 53-year-old man and staff of the Kogi State Printing and Publishing Corporation,  publishers, Yusuf Alabi, is currently in police net for allegedly having carnal knowledge of his two daughters.

I'm not sure why it matters who employs him, unless that company is associated with the news source. More likely, I think, is that the company is a competitor. His employer's name was included, but information that could be crucial was left out. Let's keep reading...

The acting Commissioner for Police in the state, Mr. Austin Evbakhavbokun, disclosed this while parading some suspects before newsmen in Lokoja, recently.

He said the suspect was apprehended following a complaint by one Abdulmalik to the state Investigation and Intelligence Bureau, alleging that his father was having sexual intercourse with immediate younger sister.

According to the police chief, when the boy challenged his father for committing incest, the suspect threatened to kill him if he exposes him, adding that upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to the crime, which he posited, was meant to protect his children from dying prematurely.

Really? This sounds like other wild claims, such as when a man will accuse a "witch" of magically shrinking/removing his penis, which has sometimes caused lynching, or the vicious lie that having intercourse with a virgin will cure HIV or AIDS. If he really made that claim, the guy is obviously a problem. However, I do not rule out the possibility of this being a set-up. The man is 53. It is entirely possible that all of his children are well into adulthood and this was consensual sex. If that's not the case, he should be charged with rape. However, we don't know the ages of his daughters, and we don't know if he has always been in their life or not. We don't even know if the person reporting him is his son or rather a half-brother to the daughter(s) or if he has any reason to make a false accusation. If the guy is a predator, lock him up in a bad place for a very long time. If this is a matter of consensual sex between adults, it shouldn't be a crime in the first place.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,consanguineous,family reaction,father-daughter,GSA,incest,law,media,prosecution

Polyandry and Prejudice in Kenya

I'm not sure why this has become such big news. Two men love the same woman. They want a polyandrous marriage. What's the big deal? From npr.org...

Polygamy is fairly common in Kenya but one forthcoming marriage is turning that custom on its head. A Kenyan woman not wanting to choose between the two men she loves, decided she will marry both of them. The men have agreed, and the trio even signed a contract to "set boundaries and keep the peace."

This happens every day all over the world.

From bbc.co.uk...

The agreement sets out a rota for Sylvester Mwendwa and Elijah Kimani to stay in her house and states they will both help raise any children she bears.

Mr Mwendwa told the BBC he loved the woman and said the contract would "set boundaries" and "keep the peace".

Lawyers said the "marriage" would only be recognised if they could prove polyandry - a woman having more than one husband - was part of their custom.

How about simply recognizing that adults should be free to marry each other?

Mr Mwendwa said her parents had given their blessing, while he is planning to pay the bride price.

The woman, a widow with two children, did not want to be named.

Mr Mwendwa told the BBC he did not marry the woman simply to satisfy his sexual desires but because he loved her and, most of all, her children.

The scrutiny has not been without cost. From standardmedia.co.ke comes this report from Willis Oketch..

A woman who was alleged to have been married to two men in Mombasa now wants to sue for damages over claims that her name has been tarnished.

And...

But one of the lovers, a 26 year-old man Mr Sylvester Mwenda who signed the agreement is believed to have been shown the door over unexplained circumstances.

Mr Mwenda admitted he was in love with the woman, he believes she was the only woman he loves and was ready to do anything to please her.

He explained that his love for the woman was so deep and was ready to do anything, including sharing her with another man.

How many other relationships are like this? Why is this news? What should be news is someone getting fired from their job for having a consensual adult relationship. From ntv.co.ke...

A man involved in a polyandrous relationship in Mombasa is now seeking help after losing his job and attracting condemnation from society. Sylvester Mwendwa is now seeking help from mens rights organisation, Maendeleo Ya Wanaume after his confession set him on a collision course with close friends and family. Brenda Wanga reports that despite the hue and cry that has come in the wake of that confession, Mwendwa says he would do it again. 

And finally, there's Safa Jinje's piece in theglobeandmail.com...

Polyandry – the practice of a woman having more than one mating partner at a time – is not as prevalent as polygyny, which is recognized in various patriarchal societies. Traditionally, polyandry has been found in egalitarian societies where fertile women are scarce, the result of a slanted ratio between men and women; or in societies where high male mortality or absenteeism rates create a higher demand for fathers.

 Why shouldn't a woman be free to marry two men, if all agree? There's no good reason.

Read more »

Posted in: Africa,coming out,freedom to marry,Kenya,love,media,polyandry,polygamy,prejudice