“Angry Spirit” Forces 8 Year Old Boy to Wed 61 Year Old Woman

An 8 year old Tshwane, South African boy was forced to marry a 61 year old woman this past week after the boy, Sanele Masilela, claimed to be visited by the angry spirit of his deceased grandfather who demanded the child marry 61-year-old Helen Shabangu.

The “ceremony” has shocked the local community who expressed concern about the welfare and safety of the child. Sanele’s mother, Patience Masilela, defended her family’s decision to allow the child to be wedded.

“This is the first time this has happened in the family,” she told RADAR. “Sanele is named after his grandfather, who was never had a white wedding before he died so asked Sanele to get married. He chose Helen because he loves her.”

“By doing this we made the ancestors happy.  If we hadn’t done what my son had asked then something bad would have happened  in the family.  I didn’t have a problem with it because I  know it’s what the ancestors wanted and it would make them happy.”

The Masilela family believes the marriage ceremony, which they were careful to point out was not legally binding, will appease the patriarchal spirit who did not have a wedding of his own during life.

So, what do you think of the phantom-induced union of child to elder? Was Sanele visited by his dead grandfather in a bid to help the man pass on? Or is he just the smoothest talking 8 year old in South Africa? Let us know what you think! Tweet us @WhoForted, drop by our official Facebook page, or leave us a message in the comments.

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