30 SEX WORKERS ARRESTED

Some of the 30 sex workers outside the Manzini Swazi National Court yesterday. (Pic: Sibusiso Zwane)

MANZINI – Tuesday was a rather dramatic night for 30 sex workers who felt the wrath of armed police officers on the busy streets of the country’s hub.

In an attempt to ‘clean up’ the city centre, armed plain-clothes police officers carried out a massive raid and arrested a total of 30 sex workers who were found along various streets.

The policemen carried out the operation at about 9pm on Tuesday, while making rounds using Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) vehicles.
The arrests come exactly a month after it was reported that the city streets were now infested with sex workers who posed near most of the traffic lights and publicly offered motorists and members of the public their services in exchange for money.

Many motorists called this publication, alleging that such women went to the extent of even touching their cars, in a bid to stop them during the night. The sex workers were all taken to the police station and statements were recorded before they were charged with contravening the Crimes Act.

The accused persons’ charge sheets stated that they were found loitering for purposes of prostitution in different public places.
The several suspected hotspots which were raided by the police, included areas such as Liqhaga Flats, Foodliner, Kowloon, Autozone, Nkoseluhlaza Street, near the National Library and Bhunu Mall.

The accused persons appeared at the Swazi National Court before two different court presidents, including Chief Mfanukhona Mndzebele and Public Prosecutor, Tsabile Fakudze. Two courtrooms were utilised due to the large number of the accused persons.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: