Four individuals have been fined after being caught engaging in public sex in Southlea Park, Harare, Zimbabwe.
The incident, which occurred around 9 pm on June 9, led to their arrest by officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), following a tip-off.
The group consisted of three women—Mellisa Mapanga (23), Rutendo Joseph (27), and Elsie Mupesa (22)—who identified themselves as s3x workers, and their client, 35-year-old Takura Pedzisai.
Reports indicate Pedzisai is married, with his wife currently pregnant.
The arrests were carried out by Constable Precious Manyimbiri, alongside Sergeant Dohwe and Constables Mutume and Shoko.
The officers found the four actively engaged in s3xual activity in the leisure park without regard for other members of the public. The officers detained them on the spot.
Appearing before Magistrate Tatenda Mukurunga at the Mbare Magistrate’s Court, all four pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
The women cited financial hardship and said sex work was their only means of livelihood.
Each woman was fined US\$50, with a default sentence of 45 days in jail. Pedzisai, however, was fined US\$100 due to aggravating circumstances, including his marital status and his wife’s pregnancy.
Magistrate Mukurunga stressed the need to uphold public morality and warned that similar offences in the future would be dealt with sternly.
