Zim prostitutes now soliciting for clients in broad daylight

The world’s oldest profession appears to have moved away from the dark corners of Harare’s night spots to suburban street corners with commercial sex workers now soliciting for clients in broad daylight.

Harare’s Avenues area has always laid claim to the unofficial title of the capital’s Red Light District.

The area seems to be staking an even stronger claim now as ladies of the night are increasingly moving from the witching hours to day time to solicit for clients.

The corners of Josiah Chinamano Avenue and Fourth and Fifth streets; Herbert Chitepo Avenue and Fifth and Sixth streets; and Baines Avenue and Eighth Street now host women openly soliciting for sex from as early as 9am.

The women entice any men who may walk or drive by with offers of a quickie for anything between US$5 and US$20 at any one of the numerous lodges in the area.

The daytime sex workers dress a bit more conservatively than at night, possibly to evade the police.

Many wear leg-hugging jeans or skirts and look like any other fashion-conscious lady.

That is until one draws near and appears to have a wandering eye and a ready pocket.

A lady who identified herself as "Melinda" and who was stationed at the corner of Josiah Chinamano Avenue and Fifth Street on Tuesday morning said soliciting in daylight served to increase the potential for big paydays.

"Business is obviously slower during the day but every cent counts. Also, you never know when someone will pick you up in the morning and decide to be with you until the next day.

"Of course, I charge more at night. If I get about four people during the day and another four at night I am better than someone who was just waiting to work at night.

"Besides, you might not get anyone at night so this is just a way of increasing your chances (of getting clients)," she said.

A cellphone recharge card vendor operating along Baines Avenue said the sheer number of lodges and the reputation the area had made it natural for commercial sex workers to increase their working hours.

"They want to make money. I don’t judge them because they are not my relatives.

"But they bring business to many people in the Avenues. Lodges and bars make money. We also sell more juice cards," he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

A couple of years ago, police clamped down on the sex workers’ clients but that operation –— dubbed "Kerb Crawler" — only had limited success.

Government also blitzed 153 unlicensed lodges and tour operators, some of whom were understood to be operating as brothels.