Quartet fined for engaging in public sex

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

FOUR individuals who were caught engaging in sexual activities in a public area at night in Southlea Park have been fined.

Mellisa Mapanga (23), Rutendo Joseph(27), Elsie Mupesa (22) all sex workers and Takura Pedzisai (35), a client , pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges when they appeared before Mbare magistrate Tatenda Mukurunga.

The three women explained to the court that they were involved in sex work as their means of livelihood.

Magistrate Mukurunga imposed US$50 fines each on Mapanga, Joseph, and Mupesa, or a default sentence of 45 days in prison.

Pedzisai, however, was fined US$100, as the court considered aggravating factors, including the fact that he had a pregnant wife at home while engaging in infidelity.

The complainant in the case was the State, represented by Constable Precious Manyimbiri stationed at ZRP Southlea Park.

Prosecutor Simbiso Shonhiwa said, on June 9 at around 9pm, Constable Manyimbiri, along with her colleagues — Sergeant Dohwe, Constable Mutume, and Constable Shoko acted on a tip-off.

They were informed that the accused individuals were engaging in sexual activities in a public location.

Upon arriving at the scene, the officers discovered the accused in the act and arrested them on the spot.

The offenders were then taken to the police station, where a formal report was filed.

The court stressed the importance of public decency and issued a stern warning against such behaviour, emphasising that the law will not tolerate such acts in public spaces.