The King of Swaziland, King Mswati III has made a declaration in the country that from June 2019, men will be required to marry at least five wives or go to jail.

A statement by the King called for all men in the country to marry at least five wives, assuring the men that government would pay for the marriage ceremonies and buy houses for them.

“Here’s the deal, marry at least five wives and you’re assured that the government will pay for the marriage ceremonies and buy houses for them.”

King Mswati warned that any man or woman who opposes the decision “will face a life sentence”.

The order, according to IHarare, is to ensure every woman gets a husband as it is believed that men taking more wives will help women get husbands.

A man with his four wives in Swaziland

Marry 5 wives or be jailed, Swaziland King orders country menThe monarch noted that there are more women than men in Swaziland which he noted was a very serious problem for a country known to be full of virgins.

Reports say that the decision also came following the increasing number of virgins and scarcity of men in the country.

King Mswati himself has 15 wives and 25 children, while his father and predecessor had more than 70 wives and over 150 children.