Four persons were arrested and fined for disorderly behavior after they were caught red-handed doing sex in public at night in Southlea Park in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Together with their customer, Takura Pedzisai (35), the group consisted of three women who identified as s3x workers: Mellisa Mapanga (23), Rutendo Joseph (27), and Elsie Mupesa (22).
After receiving a tip, ZRP Southlea Park Constable Precious Manyimbiri made the arrests on June 9 at approximately 9 PM, according to H-Metro. Sergeant Dohwe and Constables Mutume and Shoko were with her. When they arrived, they discovered the people lula lulaing and arrested them right away. Later thereafter, a formal police report was filed.
The four entered guilty pleas to counts of disorderly conduct in the Mbare Magistrate’s Court. The women described their involvement in s3x employment as their only source of income.
Each woman was fined US$50 by Magistrate Tatenda Mukurunga, and if the payment was not paid, they would be imprisoned for 45 days. The court cited Pedzisai’s marital status and his wife’s pregnancy as aggravating factors, and he was given a harsher fine of US$100.
In addition to stressing the value of public decency, Magistrate Mukurunga issued a warning that future prosecutions of such violations in public places would be harsh.