Masawi turns house into brothel

DESPERATION to raise money for medical bills forced a Sakubva woman to turn her house into a brothel. So popular was the love nest to the residents as evidenced by the high rate of bookings, but it was not long before the long arm of the law caught up with Tsitsi Masawi (36) of Avenues section of

Mutare's oldest high-density suburb of Sakubva.

Masawi's money-spinning venture backfired terribly on her as she was dragged to court for promoting prostitution. The court descended on her heavily despite her plea of guilty and was fined $150 or 90 days being guest to the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services.

She opted for the fine and is already out, vowing not to commit a similar offence.

Masawi was recently convicted by Mutare magistrate Mrs Anniah Ndiraya, who condemned her behaviour in the strongest terms. She was arrested when police, who were investigating a rape case that was allegedly committed at the brothel, bumped into a couple that was busy playing hide-the-sausage.

When she was asked by Mrs Ndiraya why she had committed the offence, Masawi said she had resorted to operating a brothel business in an attempt to raise funds for treatment after she was diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma.

"I was diagnosed with Kaposi's sarcoma in March last year and since then I have been operating a brothel so that I raise funds for treatment which I get from Parirenyatwa Hospital twice every month," she said.

The magistrate asked Masawi if she realised that she was facilitating prostitution through her brothel and to this, Masawi cited her dire need for money as the reason she started operating a brothel.

"I am well aware that brothels promote prostitution, but they are a quick way of making money nowadays.

"Because I was desperate, I resorted to the brothel business. However, I am beseeching this honourable court to acquit me because I have seven children who need my care," she said.

Asked how much she was making per day, Masawi said she made $10 on a good day.

"I usually get very little because most of the times I charge $1 for two days, but when business is good, I get $10," she explained.

Mrs Ndiraya, however, dismissed this claim saying: "The figures you are telling me are unreasonable, considering that earlier on you mentioned that brothels are a quick way of making money. If you earn so little, then you would not have taken the risk of owning a brothel."

In an interview after her court appearance, Masawi said she had stopped operating the brothel after the fine wiped out the little savings she had.

"I used all my savings to pay off the fine and now I am in dire straits. I am due for a check-up on May 28 at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and I don't know where I will get the money to go there.

"I have to pay US$60 for every session," she said. When asked whether she would take legit means to generate income, she said it was a tall order for her since she never set foot at school.

"I never went to school and it is difficult for me to look for a job. I was born in a polygamous family. My father had three wives and because of that, he never managed to send us to school. I was hoping that if I get some capital, I would start a chicken-rearing project so that I can make money," she said.

About the alleged rape case which was reportedly committed at her place, Masawi denied having anything to do with it.

"I was surprised to see the police coming to my place telling me that a girl had been raped here and that I was an accomplice.
 
"I know the girl who was claiming to have been raped as my tenant's girlfriend and I don't remember hearing her screaming for help as she said in her statement to the police.

"The only offence I committed was operating a brothel, not playing a part in the girl's alleged rape," she explained.