Professional massage parlours have largely been found in affluent areas — particularly in the northern side of Samora Machel Avenue, Harare — since they were considered a luxury beyond the reach of many.
It is now not unusual to come across brothels that are guised as massage shops or beauty salons. One of the infamous parlours is situated on Malta Road and is biased towards women, while the other one is close to a giant retail outlet on Chiremba Road. A massage spa is a place where people go and pay for a kneading by a massage therapist.
The X-rated and illegal service is openly being marketed on various online platforms using photos of so-called workers in skimpy outfits and provocative poses. The daring ones include their real names, phone numbers and addresses. The figure varies depending on the neighbourhood. Both men and women are commercially operating in these shady parlours but the numbers are biased towards the fairer sex.
A report by the National Aids Council revealed that about 36 percent of unemployed women who took part in a survey they carried out late last year listed their source of income as sex work.
But many have naturally sought new ways to attract clients yet remaining inconspicuous in their operations. Standing on street corners is no longer considered fashionable.
