Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
EVERY night, the streets and beerhalls of Manicaland’s cities, towns and growth points come alive with stories of survival.
Among the shadows are female sex workers who traverse the province, following a cycle of migration in search of greener pastures, often at great personal cost.
For many, this life on the move has become a routine shaped by their trade, the threats of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), risks of contracting STIs and HIV and AIDS, as well as constant search for safety and stability.
The Manica Post last week caught up with Anna Mpofu and Tinashe Chirare (not their real names), two migrant sex workers in Rusape who agreed to share their experiences.
They spoke about their cyclical journeys across the province and beyond.
From Rusape’s Vengere beerhalls to Marondera’s bustling streets, and eventually back to Forbes Border Post via Mutare, the sex workers claim they live on the edge of society.
Mpofu (22) who hails from Mubata Village in Buhera said she has been in the trade for two years.
“I started in Murambinda, but business was a bit low there. I moved to Rusape, camping at beerhalls in Vengere, before I hooked up with some friends to share boarding rooms with. We usually stay at a place for a month or two, and when profits dwindle, we move to Marondera with the help of truck drivers who are also our clients. They understand the routes, and are willing to take us for a small fee or in exchange for our services,” she said.
Chirare (28) described the cycle as predictable, but exhausting.
“We come back to Forbes Border Post with different truck drivers. Once there, we work in Mutare awaiting new clients who will be driving haulage trucks from Mozambique. It is a way of life that does not give us time to rest, and every new place comes with its own challenges,” she said.
The trade exposes the women to countless risks, including GBV and exposure to sexually transmitted infections and HIV and AIDS.
“We have had countless occasions where men refuse to pay or refuse to put on condoms. At times clients attack and drag us on the streets. Nobody helps us because they think we deserve it. Sometimes men offer a certain amount and later refuse to pay or try to negotiate for less. When I refuse, they threaten me or become violent. One man once pulled out a knife just to scare me into agreeing to his terms,” said Chirare.
The stories are all too familiar to vendors in Vengere, who witness their plight daily.
French fries (chips) seller at Max Village, Mrs Vongai Murwira noted the constant harassment the sex workers face.
“The girls are our friends because they buy our wares, but men often bully them or refuse to pay the agreed amounts. We do not judge them, but this is their way of surviving,” she said.
Mrs Tracy Mukondiwa, another food vendor at Max Village, echoed similar sentiments.
“It is sad to see young girls, some as young as 14 or 15, out here. They rent rooms in groups and try to protect each other, but the risks are too many. We pray that Government will help them to find better livelihoods,” she said.
The nocturnal economy built around these women is complex.
Vendors like Mrs Mukondiwa benefit from the activity they generate.
“During the day, I make less than US$5, but at night, I can earn over US$30. The girls attract clients, and those clients buy food. It is a strange cycle, but it keeps us all afloat. Their clients buy food, so we depend on each other. But it is a strange and sad cycle,” she explained.
The vibrancy of the night masks the sadness of the reality sex workers face.
Despite the temporary economic boost they bring to communities, the reality of their lives is far from glamorous.
Their revealing clothing and vulnerability often draw judgment, but beneath the surface is a story of resilience and desperation.
“They dress in revealing clothing, sometimes just underwear. It is heart breaking because you know they are someone’s daughter or sister. Sometime, their parents come here in search of them and they disappear. You will hear that the girls have migrated to Marondera. They will later return when the coast is clear,” Mrs Mukondiwa added.
Through its arm, National AIDS Council, and partners like the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe (CeSHHAR), Government has stepped in to address the risks faced by vulnerable populations, including female sex workers.
These efforts include health education, HIV and STI testing, counselling, and access to critical treatments like Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
In an interview, CeSHHAR nurse counsellor for Makoni District, Mrs Nomatter Muranda, stressed the importance of reaching these women, who often operate on society’s fringes.
“We provide Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for those who test negative, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for those fearing recent exposure, and self-test kits for their partners. Many men avoid health facilities, so these kits are essential for broader prevention,” she said.
Beyond immediate health needs, the programme seeks to extend its impact.
“We ensure their children and partners are also tested and protected. After six months on ART, we transfer our clients to public health facilities for continued care,” Mrs Muranda added.
She said as a result, ART uptake as well as condom collection has improved in the area.
Mrs Muranda also said the integrated approach offers a glimmer of hope to women trapped in a cycle of risk and survival.
She said their approach also extends to services of GBV.
“To combat GBV, we create safe spaces for them, provide them with economic opportunities, and address the root causes that push them into such vulnerable positions. Only then can the cycle be broken, offering a future in which our women can thrive without fear or shame,” she said.
For the sex workers, while their work comes with a heavy toll, the support they receive from CeSHHAR gives them a sense of comfort and hope every night as they ply their trade.
“Sometimes, I think about going home and find alternative survival ways, but CeSHHAR has helped me with health support and counselling which keeps me going. Besides, my parents back home depend on me,” said Mpofu, tears welling in her eyes.
“CeSHHAR has been a lifeline for me. They have given me access to health care and even self-testing kits to protect my partners,” agreed Chirare.
The vendors, too, recognise the positive impact.
“We will be grateful if Government and organisations like CeSHHAR provide more opportunities and upskill these girls. They will not risk their lives every night. They are part of our community, and we want the best for them,” said Mrs Mukondiwa.
