Hooker steals client's cellphone and cash

A 26-year-old hooker who allegedly stole a mobile phone and cash from her "client" before she tore his trousers, yesterday appeared in court on allegations of theft.

Blessing Joflies will know her fate today when Harare magistrate Mr Tavonga Mtetwa passes his verdict.

In her mitigation, Joflies pleaded with Mr Mtetwa to be lenient with her as she is a single mother of three with the youngest child being only 19 months old.

"I beg you to be lenient with me because if I go to prison my children will not have anyone to look after them," she said.

When asked by Mr Mtetwa why she had chosen such a "shameful job" as a way of living, Joflies told the court that prostitution was the only way she knew how to make money as jobs were difficult to secure.

"I have tried to find a decent job, but all my efforts were in vain. I have to work to provide for my children," she said.

Circumstances are that on November 8, Joflies hooked up with Felix Merinyu at a local night club and the two proceeded to Joflie's house to spend the night together.

It is alleged that when Merinyu woke up the following morning Joflies was not in the house and when he wanted to get dressed he realised that his trousers had been torn and his cash and mobile phone had disappeared.

Merinyu was only assisted by a neighbour who gave him a pair of shorts to put on before he made a report to the police.