FRANCISTOWN - Commercial sex trade is on the rise in Francistown, which has the second highest HIV prevalence rate standing at 24.6 per cent.

Though a number of factors was responsible for the high rate, the sex trade played a major in the spread of HIV.

A number of young women in Francistown were into commercial sex to make ends meet. BOPA recently hit the streets to find out more about the ladies of the night.

Its just after 9p.m. and St Patricks Street is populated with women on mini skirts -- some almost half naked -- displaying their wares.

Some of the commercial sex traders are Batswana, others are foreigners but all are all walks of life.

The influx of Zimbabweans searching for better life has contributed to the growth of commercial sex work in Francistown.

Although St Patricks Street is the nucleus of commercial sex trade, a number of centres have mushroomed.

Bars and liquor restaurant are now hot spots where the young and the beautiful roam the streets and frequent bars for business.

Despite the trade being shunned by many, ironically business is booming and night life in Francistown has never been the same.

As BOPA approached the busy street, some jostled towards the vehicle with the hope of landing a customer but a frown replaced the smile as they realised that there was a woman in the car.

But BOPA finally persuaded some of the women to relate their stories. It emerged that condoms are not used at all times. Offering more money can get a customer unprotected sex.

Ms Melody Mtara said she was a sex worker because she needed money. I can make ends meet with the money from the business, she said.

On a good outing, Matra said she services five customers a night. During the day, Mtara puts on a different persona as she moves around looking for part-time jobs. That is when she is not tired from working hard the previous night.

In that case, she spends the day sleeping so that she is well rested for the night duty. Asked why she does not stop, she said believe me, this business is addictive, you keep on doing it no matter how hard you try to pull out.

Twenty three year old Tenda Ndlovu said during the day she sells beans, mangoes and other items from Zimbabwe. But at night she resorts to the more lucrative business.

Ms Ndlovu said she hates her job and that her partner did not know that she sells her body.

But it is the only choice; I have no other alternative because sometimes I do not get piece jobs.

Ms Tebogo Motlha, said she completed secondary education in 2003 but since she did not do well she could not got for further studies. Without a job, selling sex was the only option.

Although she still walks the streets, Ms Motlha said she has clients whom she meets at clubs. she said being a commercial sex worker made her feel needed because she is approached by handsome and married men.

Many have attempted to have a stable relationship with me, but that is not what I want, I want money, she added.

However, commercial sex trade is not without its problems. At times a prostitutes life was in danger from customers. Jostling for turf between locals and foreigners is common.

Batswana contend that Zimbabweans take all customers as they charge as little as P20 for a quickie On the morality side, Pastor Ofentse Matlhaope of Pentecostal Protestant Church in Francistown dismissed the sex workers reasons of poverty for engaging in the trade because some of them have some sources of living.

Currently there is no law that addresses prostitution save for being charged with loitering and idling in the streets. BOPA