By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Masvingo – All our clients are nowhere to be found as they are locked down, they are spending time with their families and am getting nothing and how will l survive. l have known no other job besides selling my body for money. How does the government think I will survive?
These are questions asked by a local thigh vendor who fears for the worst as she can no longer put food on the table in the ongoing 21 days lockdown.
Movement is now limited beerhalls, nightclubs, hotels and lodges are not open. This is the worst nightmare for sex workers who had never imagined the lockdown would affect their business this badly.
With neighbouring South Africa extending its lockdown, the Zimbabwean government could possibly do the same.
Talking to Bustop TV, the sex workers expressed their concerns.
“If you do not have a client with a car, it is a disadvantage we have nowhere to go, lodges and hotels are closed down. I cannot bring my client at home, l have kids and l use a single room. Times are tough for us, at the end will end up resorting to bush bookings to meet up with clients because l really need the money as l have a family to feed,” said one sex worker.
Another one said clients are locked up in their homes and cannot reach out to them.
“How we will be recognised even in the afternoon, clients are locked up in their homes. You cannot even get a single client because of this and we also fear going outside. l have run out of money and food supply and do not know how l will survive for the remaining days. Our business has been greatly affected, these are the worst days of my life,” she said.
One said the government should do something and make sure they are able to operate.
“Why can’t they open even one bar for us to operate from at least we can make money otherwise I will die of hunger with my kids. We will end up going to the rural areas as would have failed the urban life. It is difficult to budget for the money we make as it is not guaranteed you will make any. People l know they will judge us but our services are essential like any other services,” she said.
However one sex worker said they are also at risk of getting infected as their clients also travel abroad hence the high chances of the virus but at the same time, if they do not meet with them, they risk losing money.
Now they fear to die of hunger and not of the deadly COVID _19.
