Woman jailed for pimping 14-year-old learner

Zim Now Writer

A 22-year-old sex worker from Chipinge has been slapped with a one-year jail-term for recruiting a 14-year-old Form One learner into prostitution.

Beauty Mutanda of Gaza E, Chipinge, will however serve an effective eight months in prison after magistrate Frank Mkwananzi suspended four months on condition of good behaviour.

Mutanda was charged with permitting a young person to engage in unlawful sexual conduct as defined in Section 86 (1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23.

She pleaded guilty to the offence.

Prosecuting, Thulani Zondwayo told the court that on May 2, the minor met Mutanda at Mandanda Business Centre in Chipinge.

“Mutanda met the complainant, who is doing Form One at Emerald Secondary School, and the two became friends. The accused then lured the minor to accompany her to Chipinge Town where the accused resides.

“While in Chipinge Town, the accused started taking the complainant to a popular night club in Gaza high-density suburb where they would engage in sexual activities with various men.

“However, Mutanda would receive and keep the money, while the complainant only engaged in the sexual activities,” said Zondwayo.

The matter came to light on May 21 when the two had an alteration over a client.

“The complainant then called her mother, who then proceeded to Chipinge to take her and make a police report, leading to Mutanda’s arrest.

Under Zimbabwean law, any child under the age of 18 is unable to consent to sex.