Key Points
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Zimbabwe women fined for sex ads posted on social media.
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Police used undercover tactics to arrest suspects in Harare.
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Soliciting remains illegal despite sex work not being criminalized.
Police in Harare arrested nine women after discovering online posts advertising sexual services.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spotted the ads on Facebook and WhatsApp earlier this month. These posts offered massages along with sexual acts for a fee of US$20 (roughly R370).
Acting swiftly, undercover officers responded to one of the advertisements. They visited the house listed in the post. At the scene, they found nine women.
Most of them were partially undressed. Officers arrested them on suspicion of soliciting for the purpose of prostitution.
All the women are between the ages of 19 and 27. They initially denied the charges. However, during their bail hearing, they changed their pleas and admitted guilt.
Court fines women as government tightens grip on digital sex trade
The Harare Magistrate’s Court convicted all nine women. Each woman received a fine of US$30 (around R550).
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, failure to pay the fine would result in a one-month jail sentence.
This case reflects Zimbabwe’s increased crackdown on digital platforms promoting sex-related services.
Although Zimbabwe does not outlaw the sale of sex directly, it does criminalize activities such as solicitation, brothel-keeping, and living off the earnings of sex work.
Soon after the sentencing, five more women appeared in the same court. Authorities suspect they belong to the same network as those already convicted.
Legal uncertainty fuels risks for sex workers in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean law creates a grey area for sex workers. While the act of selling sex isn’t illegal, several related actions are. These include public solicitation, operating brothels, and promoting sex work.
International rights groups have criticized these laws. They argue that criminalizing elements of sex work exposes women to exploitation and violence.
According to a report by Aidsfonds, sex workers in Zimbabwe face severe challenges. These include stigma, police harassment, and a high risk of contracting HIV. Due to fear of arrest, many avoid health clinics and support services.
As a result, activists continue to call for legal reforms. They believe that decriminalizing sex work would improve safety and access to healthcare.
While the law targets solicitation, enforcement often fails to protect those who are most vulnerable.
