In Chikwanha Township, Chitungwiza, an unexpected and shocking trend has emerged: lodge that charge as little as 50 cents to $1, offering a cheap yet bustling space for those looking for a quick encounter.
While the scene may be hard to believe, a visit to the area around 9 p.m. reveals a completely different picture, with ladies of the night on the prowl and popular spots like Pagungwa Night Club serving as a base for their activities.
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Pagungwa is often crowded, filled with patrons, and, as one local described it, “always a fully-loaded bar.” But what lies behind its lively atmosphere is the less glamorous but lucrative business of offering low-cost lodging for the women who work there.
Just outside the club, a dilapidated gate opens into a backyard, which has been converted into a makeshift booking area for the bargain-priced accommodations.
At first glance, these lodges do not resemble typical accommodations.
By day, the area seems like a regular part of the township, but by night, it transforms into a den of activity where some of the cheapest rooms are available for as little as 50 cents or a dollar.
The back alleyways and nondescript surroundings could easily be overlooked by the untrained eye, but for the women working the streets, it is an essential part of their business.
Our investigation led us to speak with several of the ladies working in the area, including Tinotenda Maromo, who explained the practicality of such low-cost spaces.
“I cannot afford to book for clients in a place like Chikwanha Hotel,” she said, referring to the more upscale local lodge.
“Here, we charge clients $2 or $3 for a quick one, and our base to book the space is only 50 cents or a dollar, depending on how busy the night is.”
Maromo, who lives outside Chikwanha, noted that taking a client to her home would be too complicated. “I prefer using this place. It’s more convenient for my work,” she added.
Another woman, Tatenda Chvhima, echoed Maromo’s sentiment, explaining that such budget lodgings are a norm in the township.
“Use mukoma pano zvinhu zvakaoma,” she said, using a local expression that translates roughly to, “things are tough here.”
“So charging 50 cents is ideal. If we wanted something better, we would probably have to raise the price, but our clients mostly prefer these cheaper options.”
A third woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, also shared her thoughts on the matter.
“Most of our clients prefer the cheaper rooms because they don’t want to pay for an expensive lodge. Plus, it’s much more affordable here, especially when you’re from a place like this,” she said, referring to the township’s economic challenges.
