adminTHERE seems to a worrying trend of music and arts promoters preying on young vulnerable women seeking to make names for themselves in the entertainment and modelling world.
The shameless breed of sex predators pretend to be genuine benefactors ready to help young ladies expose their talent to the world, only to violate them, damaging their self-esteem.
Such cases are rife in the modelling, film and television, music, theatre and dance industries where most of the victims don’t have money to go places despite being talented.
These perverts, who use their financial muscle to lure young girls into sexual activities, need to be brought to justice to save the dignity of the girl child.
The trend has been going on for ages with girls from both urban and rural areas on the receiving end.
The young ladies end up giving in to the demands of these wayward predators in the hope that their chosen careers will take off, but it generally ends in tears.
Other young ladies’ careers ended prematurely after being impregnated by rogue promoters, most of whom are still on the loose and perpetuating their evil deeds with seeming impunity.
The sad reality is that most young victims that give in are usually dumped, leaving them to live lives of regret.
Some go into depression or resort to drugs to deal with the abuse they would have suffered at the hands of the wicked promoters.
In yesterday’s edition of H-Metro, we carried a touching story about a 46-year-old music promoter whose pictures with several young girls torched a storm.
Maxwell Gissi of MG Promotions has been recruiting models and budding musicians, and they have accused him of abusing them.
Some claimed that he asks for sexual favours for him to enable their breakthrough in the industry.
Although he denied the allegations of abusing the girls, the pictures he takes with each of them look inappropriate.
It doesn’t look like the girls pose willingly for the photos, and the pauses suggest an element of cohesiveness.
In his defence, he claimed the pictures were taken in his office and not lodges, so according to him, abuse can’t take place in his office, but at a lodge.
Sexual abuse can happen anywhere.
Victims of the promoter’s alleged shenanigans need to speak out and report him to the police.
With the nation fighting child rape and sexual harassment, these rogue promoters should be thoroughly investigated.
As Zimbabweans we can’t afford to continue harbouring criminals who are destroying vulnerable girls’ dreams.
The victims should speak out and get help.
Such acts of sexual abuse should never be allowed to continue.
Young talented girls deserve a chance to go places with the support of genuine promoters and sponsors.
Rogue promoters should be exposed, shamed and arrested to save the girl-child.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter