Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
TWO women have appeared in court facing human trafficking charges after allegedly luring children from Chipinge to Harare under the false promise of enrolling them in school, only to exploit them as unpaid street vendors.
Chantel Hlatwayo (21) and her aunt, Sibongile Hlatwayo (64), were brought before Harare regional magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo over the weekend.
They were remanded in custody pending a bail application expected later this week.
The court heard that the two allegedly devised a scheme to unlawfully recruit and transport juveniles — all under the age of 15 — from Mount Selinda in Chipinge, claiming they would secure them school places in Harare.
Instead, upon arrival in the capital, the minors were allegedly forced to sell goods along Samora Machel Avenue, with the proceeds taken by the accused for their personal benefit.
Prosecutors allege the accused exploited family ties and community trust to carry out the scheme.
Sibongile is the sister of Chantel’s late mother, Gloria Hlatwayo, a relationship that allegedly helped them gain access to the children and their guardians.
The case came to light following Chantel’s appearance on the popular Star FM radio programme Tilda Live on January 27, 2026 themed “Zvinoyera Zvinoshamisa Zvinoda Kufumurwa”.
