Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) has called on the police to act fast and decisively if sex workers are being targeted in the area.
This follows the discovery of six female bodies found in the Johannesburg CBD, speculated to be sex workers.
In a statement by SWEAT on Monday, it said it is aware that at least three sex workers from that area have been reported missing from as far as July.
“The disappearances were reported to the police and staff were actively working to push full investigations.”
SWEAT Helpline manager Nomsa Remba said: “We have been following these reported missing cases since July with no luck. This is devastating and we pray for those who lost their lives. Sex workers are scared, and they have no faith in the police to protect them or prioritise finding a killer that targets sex workers.”
SWEAT said it is not surprising that most people almost immediately assumed that the deceased are sex workers. Criminalisation skills, it feeds the violence and stigmatization sex workers are facing.
“Since we have been following the situation of missing sex workers from July, at least two have been murdered and their bodies were discarded in Joubert Park, Johannesburg and in a hotel with no press coverage or general outrage,” said SWEAT.
On Monday, police arrested a 21-year-old who will be charged with six counts of murder after the discovery of the bodies, some who have already decomposed.
Also read :https://sundayworld.co.za/news/21-year-old-man-held-after-discovery-of-six-decomposing-bodies/
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