A South African court banned the government to purchase 11 million female condoms because they are too small, poor quality and not approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ministry of Finance had granted a contract to the South African company Siqamba Medical that was importing millions of female condoms made in China.

But a competing company, Sekunjalo Investments Corporation, appealed to the High Court in Pretoria with a strong argument: its condoms are 20% longer than the Chinese manufacturer.

Judge Sulet Potterill agreed with the company on the grounds that condoms made in China were too small, poor quality and not approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

With 5.38 million people living with HIV in a population of 50 million, South Africa has the highest HIV infection rates in the world.