King Mswati to pay girls R200 a month to remain virgins in bid to fight HIV

Virgins in Swaziland are being offered close to R200 a month to abstain from sex, it has been reported.

The Daily Mail reports, that King Mswati III approved the benefits scheme which will is hoped will curb HIV in one of the poorest countries on the contient. But critics claim the flamboyant ruler, who already has 15 wives, is trying to ensure any future brides are disease free.

Thabsile Dlamini, a health care worker in the city of Manzini, told IOL: 'The government will pay girls the allowances so they will have money to purchase necessities and can turn down money offered to them for sex.'

HIV transmission rates in Swaziland currently stand at 26 per cent, one of the highest in the world. But teenagers say the money is not enough to stop them from accepting gifts and money in exchange for sex.

Thandi Tfwala, 17, said: 'A girl could get R200 for just one sex act.

'You don't know Swazi girls. If they don't get more money, they will keep on doing what they do now.'

'Our king will have to go to Cape Town for his brides.'