8-year-old School Boy Marries Woman Aged 61

Little Sanele Masilela got hitched in front of 100 guests to mum-of-five Helen Shabangu, who already has a husband.

The couple swapped rings and kissed in the ceremony in Tshwane, South Africa, which Sanele claimed his dead ancestors ordered him to arrange.

But he and his bride did not sign a marriage certificate and do not live together.

His family, who forked out £1,500 on the wedding, insisted it was only a ritual and was not legally binding.

Sanele said: “I told my mother I wanted to get married as I really did want to.

“I’m happy that I married Helen. When I’m older I will marry a lady my own age.”

The boy’s 46-year-old mum Patience said: “Sanele’s grandfather asked him to get married before he died. He chose Helen because he loves her.

“By doing this we made the ancestors happy. If we hadn’t, something bad would have happened in the family.”

Helen said: “It is what the ancestors wanted.”