Zimbabwe gay rights activist not guilty of porn charge
A Zimbabwean gay rights worker arrested on charges of having porn in his office has been found not guilty.
Ignatius Muhambi, 38, a worker for the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) organisation, was arrested in May over allegations of possessing “indecent material”.
Another worker, Ellen Chadehama, 34, was also arrested with Mr Muhambi. They have been on bail since May.
When the pair were arrested, police said they found photographs depicting gay sex and a displayed letter of support for former San Francisco mayor, Willie Lewis Brown, which criticised President Robert Mugabe’s stance on homosexuality. The latter accusation was dropped.
Mr Muhambi’s lawyer Jeremiah Bamu said the prosecution failed to establish a case against him and told AFP: “He was found not guilty.”
Ms Chadehama’s trial is to be held today.
Last week, Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe renewed his attacks on homosexuality after gay groups pleaded to be protected by the country’s new constitution.
Having previously described gay people as lower than dogs and pigs, he said same-sex marriage was “dog behaviour”.
Mr Mugabe told a religious gathering: “We will not listen to those advocating for their rights in the new constitution.
“Today, the Anglican Church condones marriages between men and the same for women. That is similar to dog behaviour.”
