The Sunday News
Dumani Moyo Sunday News Reporter
In a bid to protect themselves from violent clients, sex workers will now carry guns. Well, not real guns, but pepper spray guns. Southern Africa HIV and Aids Information Dissemination Service (SafAids) is distributing pepper sprays to sex workers countrywide so that they can protect themselves from violent clients.
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray (from oleoresin capsicum), OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and temporary blindness) used for self-defence.
In an interview, SafAids communications director Mrs Tariro Makanga-Chikumbirike said the initiative would go a long way in reducing abuse of sex workers by their clients.
“The donation started after the Mutare incident where a sex worker was beaten by a client leading to her death. Often, sex workers face abuse at the hands of their clients. The donation is an empowerment mechanism to ensure that sex workers protect themselves from abuse,” she said.
Last year in December, it was reported in some sections of the media that a 19-year-old sex worker was killed after being accused of stealing $600 from her client.
Already, more than 20 sex workers have received pepper sprays in Mhondoro-Ngezi with more set to benefit throughout the country.
“Mhondoro was the pilot programme area where more than 20 sex workers benefited. We are looking at expanding the empowerment and life skills training among sex workers in Zimbabwe.
“The exercise is aimed at ensuring that sex workers value their bodies and are protected from new HIV infections.
“There was ululation and jubilation in Mhondoro. Sex workers valued the product as they are now able to protect themselves,” she said.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said she was not aware of the developments.
“I cannot comment about this because I have not heard of any developments related to sex workers. I will only comment when I get to see that there are such developments,” she said.
However, a legal expert and executive director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum, Mr Abel Chikomo, said pepper sprays were not classified as dangerous weapons and one could justify using them for self-defence.
“There seems to be a conflict of laws. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act does not list pepper sprays as dangerous weapons but Subsection (7), Section 24(1)(b) of the Firearms Act (Chapter 10:09) outlaws the sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition or having in one’s possession any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or similar thing.
“In terms of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act one could justify the use of pepper sprays on the grounds of self-defence or defence of another but in terms of the Firearms Act; they will require a permit to possess it,” he said.
He added that the distribution of pepper sprays to sex workers was open to legal scrutiny and contestation.
