MAKHADO – Since the schools closed, the streets of Makhado have been flooded with young sex workers selling their bodies every night.

With their advantage of being young, they are making it difficult for the sex workers from Zimbabwe to get clients, and children as young as 13 years old are involved in prostitution in Makhado. Some of the girls who spoke to Mirror said they are involved in prostitution because they want money to buy groceries, trendy clothes and cell phones.

During the interview with young prostitutes aged 13, 16 and 18, the vehicle of a teacher attached to one of the schools in Mpheni, and another one of a well-known furniture store passed and turned, making it difficult for the reporter to complete the interviews with sex workers.

They do not charge their clients per round as is done in Gauteng, as long as the clients pay them R50. “If a client does not want to use a condom, he must pay R70 or more,” we heard.

The sex workers said that they hate searching for clients at taverns, as it is not safe at all. “It is the festive season and some men received bonuses, so we are charging more, especially to the guys working at the Sinthumule Maximum Prison, police, soccer stars, farmers and those who are coming from the Reef. One other thing about the business, is that not all men are soft; some are rough,” they said.

Presently, there is stiff competition between the young prostitutes, the Zimbabweans and the middle-aged local hookers who are surviving through prostitution. Even though the Zimbabweans and the middle-aged locals have reduced their prices to attract more clients, it is in vain and they now prefer to do it in taverns, as the streets now belong to the young hookers.