NELSPRUIT – A regal leader, a shy young adult and an exuberant exhibitionist were just some of the sex workers a GRIP-coordinated group came across last week.
The Greater Rape Intervention Program (GRIP) invited various organisations to participate in its first “Pleasure Executives” initiative aimed at educating prostitutes in the Nelspruit area.
Their convoy, consisting of officials of the Nelspruit SAPS, safety, security and community liaison, GRIP, the Department of Health and the Nelspruit Methodist Church departed from Nelspruit to Lydenburg. It stopped every time a group of women were spotted and the people went to speak with them.
The aim of the initiative was not to condone the practice of prostitution, but to prevent the spread of HIV by encouraging the use of condoms. “Their clients are someone’s spouse or a relative,” said Ms Nomshado Ndlovu of GRIP, explaining that innocent people could be affected by the virus.
The women were given condoms, booklets on practising safe sex and a goodie bag with a few basic toiletries as well as a treat (sponsored by the youth of the Nelspruit Methodist Church). Police officers, GRIP workers and a representative of the church spoke to the women, asked them about their lives and offered them assistance. GRIP’s mobile clinic followed behind and prostitutes were encouraged to get an HIV/Aids test from staff.
The group reached 32 sex workers in their 42km trip between Nelspruit and White River, which means there is one worker for every 1,3km stretch of road.
The women’s reasons for working the streets were varied and a few offers to help them look for work, were met with both mockery and thanks. One of the females, sitting regally on a stump by the side of the road and clearly in charge, said she was still young and that she was making more money here than at a regular job. Another said that she was saving to go to school.
According to the Nelspruit police spokesman, Cpt Dawie Pretorius, the current problem is that prostitutes are involved in criminal acts and contributing to the crime statistics.
“The relationship between the SAPS and sex workers will be improved and they can be used as whistle-blowers,” said Pretorius. The women were also discouraged from being involved in criminal activities and encouraged to report crimes against them.
