By Evans Dakwa, News Editor
Opposition leader Linda Masarira of the Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) has come out guns blazing, condemning the glaring promotion of sex trafficking and prostitution in the country following an interview by the DJ Sparks podcast where a woman is heard confessing to running a pimping business that supplies girls to men. The LEAD President said it is shameful and disgusting that such criminal activities are being publicly promoted with no regard for the law and the consequences thereof.
“The recent interview of a 23-year-old woman on DJ Sparks’ podcast, in which she openly confesses to running a pimping business that supplies girls to men, has shocked and disgusted the nation. It is both alarming and deeply disturbing that such criminal activities are being publicly promoted without fear of legal consequences. In her own words, the young woman admitted to being a pimp, managing what she casually refers to as a “hookup business,” and shamelessly justified her actions by citing a lack of job opportunities. More disturbing is her blatant indication that some of the girls she recruits may be underage, stating she uses them as a “back-up plan.” This admission not only exposes her involvement in the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls but potentially implicates her in serious crimes under Zimbabwean law,” she said.
Masarira also urged the police and Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to use the long arm of the law to deal with this shocking issue which has grabbed headlines across the country. “We therefore call upon the Zimbabwe Republic Police to immediately apprehend and investigate this woman for potential child trafficking and sexual exploitation, trace and rescue the girls she claims to have recruited, ensuring their protection, health, and psychosocial support, and collaborate with relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, and civil society organizations, to dismantle any existing networks of sexual exploitation. Furthermore, we implore the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the National Prosecuting Authority to closely monitor this case and ensure justice is served.”
The politician and women’s rights advocate also warned young girls to be vigilant and on the lookout for vultures like DJ Spark’s interviewee. “Do not be lured into destructive, exploitative ventures disguised as business opportunities. Sex trafficking not only violates your dignity but also endangers your physical and mental health, ruins your future, and tears at the moral fabric of our society. There is honor in hard work, resilience, and striving for a better life through legitimate means.”
The interview by Sparks has sparked widespread condemnation, and the podcaster has been lamented for seemingly promoting illegality. Questions over the regulation of the media in the country have also emerged, with analysts pointing to the need to differentiate social media influencers and journalists and also regulate podcasters. Sparks becomes the second podcaster in as many months to find himself at crossroads with the law after Ollah 7 spent a night inside police cells for an interview he did with Holy Ten where individual characters were decimated.
Masarira also urged the police and Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to use the long arm of the law deal with this shocking issue which has grabbed the headlines across the country.
” We therefore call upon the Zimbabwe Republic Police @PoliceZimbabwe to Immediately apprehend and investigate this woman for potential child trafficking and sexual exploitation,trace and rescue the girls she claims to have recruited, ensuring their protection, health, and psychosocial support and collaborate with relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, and civil society organisations, to dismantle any existing networks of sexual exploitation. Furthermore, we implore the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the National Prosecuting Authority to closely monitor this case and ensure justice is served.”
The politician and women rights advocate also warned young girls to be vigilant and be on the lookout for vultures like DJ Spark’s interviewee.
” Do not be lured into destructive, exploitative ventures disguised as business opportunities. Sex trafficking not only violates your dignity but also endangers your physical and mental health, ruins your future, and tears at the moral fabric of our society. There is honour in hard work, resilience, and striving for a better life through legitimate means.”
The interview by Spark’s hs sparked widespread condemnation and the Podcaster has been lamented four seemingly promoting and illegality. Questions over the regulation of the media in the country has also emerged with analyst pointing the need to differentiate social media influences and journalists and also regulate podcasters. Spark’s becomes the second podcaster in as many months to find himself at crossroads with th law after Ollah 7 spent a night inside police cells for an interview he did with Holy Ten where individual characters were decimated.