Sex workers irk Maun tribal leadership

Kgosi Moeti Moeti Boyei ward in Maun has raised alarm regarding the influx of illegal migrants from Zimbabwe, as most of them engage in prostitution and bring illicit drugs in the area.

In an interview with The Midweek Sun, Kgosi Moeti said if it was back in the day when certain cultural norms were enforced, the tribal leadership could be sending Mephato (age-regiments) to deal with the sex workers.

Moeti shared how difficult it was to intervene because there seems to be local demand for their services. He said Zimbabweans are reportedly fleeing their country to Botswana as a result of political instability, food shortages, economic crisis, mass unemployment.

According to Moeti, thousands of economic refugees are flocking to Maun in search of basic food commodities and greener pastures.

'Migrant sex workers are mobile and the reason they flock to Maun is that they know it is a tourism area and therefore believe that they stand a good chance to make money from tourists.'

Founder and Director of Sisonke Organisation, Tosh Legoreng said their organisation is made up of male and female sex workers, as well as migrant sex workers.

Legoreng said migrant sex workers have been coming to Botswana for years and have always been there, the challenge is that local traditional and religious leaders are naïve and in denial as they refuse to receive education from organisations like their regarding sex work.

“Our concern in Botswana should be that they come and make money and they leave to boost the economies of their countries and not ours.

“As an organisation, we are advocating for the decriminalisation of sex work in Botswana, so that it is viewed as work and not a crime,“ Legoreng said.