Ukuthwala

Ukuthwala can be described as a form of abduction, whereby a girl or young woman is abducted by a man and his friends in an effort to coerce the girl or woman’s family to consent and enter into marriage negotiations. Such action, resulted in the man incurring delictual liability and being liable for the payment one or more herd of cattle to the father of the girl. In recent times, this custom has been accompanied by acts of rape, marriage of minors and kidnapping.