Prostitution has become rife in certain areas of Makhado (Louis Trichardt) and the efforts of the SAPS to curb this problem seem to have a minimal effect.

Young girls continue to sell their bodies for as little as R10 to male customers and business often gets conducted in the bushes next to the road.

A popular spot for the prostitutes is at the corner of Grobler and Malherbe Street. The police are well aware of this and regularly patrol the area to monitor the activities of the sex workers. This spot has become infamous by the name Dzithangani (reed cane), due to the fact that there are lots of wild reeds next to the road.

When the Zoutpansberger's reporter first visited Dzithangani a fortnight ago, the police were busy raiding the bushes. Several sex workers were found hiding in the wild grass and the police escorted them to the back of the police van.

“They always arrest us and demand we pay a fine,” said one of the three sex workers found in the bushes. Another one added that the fine which they were normally required to pay for selling sex in a prohibited area ranged from R10 to R150.

What the Zoutpansberger established is that the police vans patrol the area almost every 10 minutes. When they arrive, the sex workers sneak into the tall grass, only to resurface once again when the police vehicles have passed.

“Our kids need to eat and wear nice clothes,” explained one woman. “Do you think we're here for fun?” the same woman asked. “Arali ni sa funi u renga fhirani zwanu (If you're not here to buy sex, then just go your way).”

Soon after saying that, she mentioned that she had only managed to cater for two clients that day, so she would have to walk to Tshikota instead of taking a taxi. “She's from Zimbabwe, that one,” said another. “Next time when you get money, come and buy from me. Even if you have only R10.”

According to women who agreed to speak to us, the sex workers at the corner of Grobler and Malherbe Street commute daily from places such as Thohoyandou, Sinthumule and Kutama, Nzhelele, Musina and Elim. They are adamant that the "no-prostitution" operation by the SAPS will never stop them from conducting business in town. “You can't sell sex in the village,” they said.

The spokespersons for the Makhado police, Capt Maano Sadiki, said the police arrest sex workers and take them to court, where they would normally be given a ticket (fine).

"These same people always go back to selling their bodies after being released," he said. "But that does not stop us from doing our job. That area is dangerous to both the client and those who sell their bodies, since they can mug or kill each other."