Zimbabwe Ex-President Convicted of Sodomy

The former president of Zimbabwe, Canaan Banana, was found guilty Thursday of assaulting and sodomizing male subordinates during his presidency in the 1980s, in one of Africa’s most sensational and bizarre trials.

The 62-year-old Methodist minister, however, did not show up in court and has left the country, allegedly to avoid imprisonment. His wife told reporters in Zimbabwe that she does not know his whereabouts.

“Whatever method he devised to leave, his intention was illegal and sinister, and it was to avoid the possible consequences of this case,” Zimbabwean state prosecutor Augustine Chikumira told the court in Harare, the capital. Banana left the country Nov. 17, the prosecutor said.

An official in the office of President Festus Mogae in neighboring Botswana said in a telephone interview that Banana was spotted Thursday by Botswanan police but that the former Zimbabwean leader had not contacted authorities there. The official denied media reports in Zimbabwe that Banana has applied for political asylum.

“He is in the country,” said the official, who requested anonymity. “He is here on private business and has not approached the government about anything, including political asylum.”

Harare Judge Godfrey Chidyausiku found Banana guilty of 11 charges of sodomy, attempted sodomy and indecent assault following a salacious on-again, off-again trial that ended in June. When Banana did not appear in court Thursday, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest and revoked his bail.

“I know nothing more than I have read and heard in this court,” Chris Andersen, Banana’s attorney, told the judge when asked to account for his client’s whereabouts.

Prosecutors indicated that Zimbabwean authorities would seek extradition if Banana does not return voluntarily for sentencing Dec. 10, when he reportedly could face up to 22 years in prison. The Botswanan official said his government would honor an extradition order.

“We have good relations with the Zimbabwean government and police for extradition of fugitives,” the official said. “If they should send the necessary papers to the police, [his] arrest would take place.”

Although Banana has denied the charges, church leaders in Zimbabwe say government and church officials have long known that Banana used his office to coerce subordinates into homosexual acts. It wasn’t until an alleged victim was convicted of murder last year, however, that details became public.

Jefta Dube, a former presidential aide, said he shot a police officer in 1995 after the man humiliated him by calling him “Banana’s wife,” a reference to a three-year sexual relationship that Dube says he was forced to have with Banana in the 1980s.

Dube struck a deal with authorities for a reduced sentence in return for testifying against Banana. Later, nearly a dozen other former presidential employees came forward alleging that Banana used everything from drugged soft drinks to promises of top jobs to have sex with them.

“I was terrified,” Dube testified, saying he still suffers nightmares from the assaults.

Banana’s three-week trial came during an internationally condemned campaign by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe against homosexuals, whom he has likened to pigs and dogs. A top official at Zimbabwe’s main homosexual rights group also has been charged with sodomy.

Banana gained little support among gay and lesbian organizations during his trial, however, in part because he has denied being homosexual but also largely because the allegations of coerced sex have hurt the image of gay rights groups in a country already beset with homophobia.

“This organization is campaigning for the decriminalization of consensual sodomy and other consensual sexual acts between adults in the privacy of their own homes,” said Keith Goddard, program manager for Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe. “GALZ deplores any abuse of power and the forcing of individuals to commit involuntary sexual acts.”