Danisa Masuku
A BULAWAYO sex worker has been fined US$250 for leaving her one-year-and-10-month-old daughter unattended at a lodge allegedly used by sex workers to meet clients.
Madisa Ndlovu (29) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Golden Muyambo on Wednesday, facing a charge of ill-treatment of a child.
She was convicted at the end of the trial and ordered to pay the fine by 30 October. Failure to pay will result in three months’ imprisonment.
In her defence, Ndlovu told the court that she had left the child with a caretaker while she went to work.
“I am a commercial sex worker. On the day in question, I left the child with a caretaker to go to work as I was booked by many clients. The caretaker usually takes care of her,” she said.
However, Mr Muyambo condemned her conduct, describing it as gross negligence.
“What you did is gross negligence and heartless, as you left the child with no care. You exposed the child to harsh weather conditions. You also exposed her to the immoral sexual acts of commercial sex workers, since that is where they conduct their activities with their clients,” he said.
Prosecutor Ms Sibusiwe Sithole urged the court to impose a custodial sentence, saying the child had been exposed to harsh weather and sexual activities taking place at the lodge.
