31 sex workers jailed, including 2 heavily pregnant
MASVINGO- Thirty one sex workers from Masvingo City including two who are heavily pregnant have been jailed after they failed to pay US$100 fine following their conviction by the Magistrate.
The 31 were arrested for soliciting for sex as defined in Section 81 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 were all thrown into prison on April 17 after their conviction.
All the 31 commercial sex workers were arrested on separate occasions with 21 taken from Mucheke Rank Bus Terminus, and 10 along the red light street, Shuvai Mahofa Street near Club Liquids International on April 16 around 10pm.
The two groups were trialed differently where the first 10 appeared before Magistrate Linnet Mugwidzo and the others appeared before Magistrate Farai Gwitima who both gave them a sentence of 15 and 30 days respectively.
Magistrate Mugwidzo gave the first group of 10 sex workers a fine of US$40 with option of two weeks to look for the money.
“Due to the plight of your case it will be rude to give you a custodial sentence because you are first time offenders and also taking into consideration that the State take mercy on female offenders
“Therefore, a fine of US$40 with15 days’ time to pay will be fair,” said Mugwidzo
Four widows, five teenagers and the tow heavily pregnant women were fined US$100 0r 30 days behind bars with no optional time to look for the money.
The 21 were represented by Knowledge Mabvure of Chihambakwe law firm
Speaking during the hearing, a 24 year old single mother Nokuthula Mupakasa said that, they do not solicit for men or lure them by any means, rather it is the opposite.
Regina Magumanda (37), indicated that jail term would mean her children will starve since she is the only parent available.
“I am a sex worker but we do not solicit or lure men, they come to us themselves requesting for our services and willingly pay for them.
“I am a single mother who is responsible for my sick mother and my brother who is mentally ill, not to mention that I have a small child who also needs my care. I depend on this job to take care of my family because there is no other form of income for me, there are no jobs, the economy is not performing well and we are left with no option, is I get a job today, surely you won’t see me soliciting for sex to get money,” said Mupakasa
“I am the father and mother and we survive solely on that money, sending me to prison means taking away food from my children, they look forward to me for their survival,” said Magumanda.
Tarisai Muvengi and Precious Pambuka prosecuted.
A social worker who spoke on condition of anonymity said the arrest of sex workers was a violation of their survival rights even if there is a law that prohibits the trade.
“The law against sex workers must be repealed considering the socio economic environment prevailing in the country. There are no jobs, the economy is tanking and the government expect women to just seat and die when they can use their bodies to feed themselves.
“Instead of harassing them the authorities should do something to remove these desperate women from the streets, if they can’t, they should simply let them carry on with what they are doing.
“What I would suggest is that the sex workers should do their trade in a dignified way that does not affect other people, they should respect other people,” said the social worker.
