Source: Nine women up for advertising sexual services – herald
Mathew Masinge
NINE women, including four teenagers, appeared in court yesterday facing charges of soliciting for purposes of prostitution after allegedly advertising massage and sexual services on social media platforms.
The group was arrested following a police sting operation in which officers posed as potential clients responding to an online advert offering massage sessions with additional sexual services for US$20.
The accused are Natasha Makowe (18), Annie Mandaza (27), Ashley Nyamutsaka (21), Nyasha Mungate (19), Gamuchirai Dzvukutu (24), Ellen Chihota (20), Miola Manyange (19), Euno Chiwara (24) and Mukhtar Banda (19).
They are being charged with contravening Section 81(b)(2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalises soliciting for purposes of prostitution. The group appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Banda and was not asked to plead.
The matter was postponed to Tuesday for bail consideration, with the nine remaining in custody until then.
According to the State, represented by prosecutor Mandirasa Chigumira, three officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Licence Inspectorate launched an operation on May 2 after coming across a Facebook and WhatsApp advert promoting massage and sexual services being offered by a group of women.
Acting on the information, the officers proceeded to a property at 158 Greendale Avenue in Harare.
Upon arrival, one of the accused met them at the gate and invited them in.
Inside, one of the officers was led to a room where he was asked to choose from a group of semi-nude women.
After confirming their suspicions, the officer identified himself and alerted his colleagues, leading to the arrest of all the nine suspects.
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