Sex workers, CPF stand-off
THE legal stand-off between sex workers operating in Primrose, Germiston, and the community policing forum (CPF) is far from over.
No out-of-court settlement was reached between the parties, their representatives informed Judge Cassim Sardiwalla in the North Gauteng High Court chambers on Friday.
Earlier last week, Judge Sardiwalla directed the parties to find a solution outside court.
The sex workers dragged the CPF before the judge on an urgent basis to stop what they say is a violent campaign by the East Rand community to drive them out.
In statements deposed under oath, the sex workers said Primrose CPF members randomly assaulted them and used dogs and snakes and cars to chase them.
“In many instances when we are chased away by CPF, we leave the area, but they will continue to hunt us down even into our homes, chase us with dogs, snakes, cars,” one of them stated in an affidavit.
The Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Task force (Sweat), an NGO representing sex workers, said in court papers that the application was meant to ensure sex workers were free from violence.
“Levels of violence perpetrated by the CPF against sex workers are extremely high in the Primrose area, #TakeBackOurPrimrose,” Sweat’s acting director Jayne Arnott said in court papers.
“In bringing this application, Sweat seeks to protect the physical inviolability of sex workers in the area.
“The matter concerns the right of sex workers to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources.”
Sardiwalla directed the parties to continue their discussions, and meet within the next 15 working days.
Tracey Enslin, chairperson of the CPF, said the first round of talks failed because the community was clear it wanted the sex workers out.
“They don’t really have a case because what they are doing is illegal. They all admitted to be sex workers,” she said. “Nothing was finalised. We told them we don’t want them here. We’ll meet again within 15 working days.”
Enslin said she was glad the matter was now in court and was confident that at the end the court would agree it was wrong of the sex workers to conduct their business openly in a residential area.
“We understand that they want to make money. But we just don’t want them on our pavements, in front of our children, she said. “They can work in an industrial area.”
Sex work is still illegal in the country and Parliament is now involved in moves to decriminalise the trade.
Enslin vehemently denied that CPF members attacked sex workers.