Female 'Ritual Rapists' on Trial in Zimbabwe

A nationwide syndicate of suspected witches is operating in Zimbabwe, kidnapping men and raping them to use their semen in magic rituals—or at least that's what the Zimbabwe police apparently believe, reports the BBC. After a year-long investigation, three women are going on trial today on 17 counts of aggravated assault (there are no provisions in Zimbabwe law for women raping men), after police found them driving around with 31 used condoms in their car.

The women say they are just prostitutes, and did not have time to dispose of the evidence. But the police say there they are really part of a larger organization, carrying out sexual assaults possibly for magic rituals. One anonymous man interviewed on TV claimed women kidnapped him, injected him with something "that gave me a strong sexual desire," and when they were finished they dumped him naked in the countryside. The semen is believed to be used in rituals to bring success in business, and may be taken outside the country for sale, notes the BBC. But at least one expert said it's unclear exactly what the semen may be used for. "It's in the area of rituals and magic, which border on secret societies," he said. (More Zimbabwe stories.)