HARARE, Zimbabwe – A member of the Zimbabwean Parliament has been released after spending Christmas in jail for allegedly saying President Robert Mugabe had had gay sex.
BBC News reported that Lynette Karenyi, from the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, was arrested after reportedly saying, “Zanu PF members have been attacking MDC President Tsvangirai alleging he is pro-homosexuals yet Robert Mugabe has practiced homosexuality with Jonathan Moyo and Canaan Banana.”
Government-controlled media reported that the statement was made at an MDC rally Dec 9 at Nhedziwa football ground in Chimanimani. She was arrested later that day.
The member of parliament has denied making the comments and an MDC spokesman said the charges against Karenyi had been “trumped up.” A magistrate granted her bail of $200 despite state opposition.
President Mugabe infamously said gays were “worse than pigs or dogs” and condemned British Prime Minister David Cameron for suggesting that aid would be cut off from countries which did not recognize gay rights.
Insulting the president is a criminal offense in Zimbabwe.
