Outcry over South Africa's multiple husbands proposal

A proposal by the South African government to legalise polyandry - when a woman has more than one husband at the same time - has led to howls of protest from conservative quarters.

BBC NEWS

This does not surprise Professor Collis Machoko, a renowned academic on the topic.

South Africa has one of the world's most liberal constitutions, embracing same-sex marriages for all and polygamy for men.

Businessman and TV personality Musa Mseleku - who has four wives - is among those opposed to polyandry.

Prof Machoko researched polyandry in his country of birth - neighbouring Zimbabwe. He spoke to 20 women and 45 co-husbands who practised it, even though such marriages are socially taboo and not legally recognised.

The participants in Prof Machoko's study all lived separately but were committed to the polyandrous union and were open about it among themselves.