Police in Zimbabwe have arrested 2 gay
activists in Harare, the nation's capital and largest city, the AP
reported.
The men were arrested on Friday after
police stormed the offices of the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
rights group. Police say they were looking for evidence of
pornography and dangerous drugs. Various computers and documents
were seized by officials.
Ellen Chadehama, 34, and Ingatius
Mhambi, 38 – both employed by GALZ – remain in police custody
Monday. Attorney David Hofisi says he has not been allowed to visit
the pair in jail.
“It remains unclear what charges will
be preferred against the two GALZ employees, but lawyers will
continue to make attendances at Harare Central Police Station,” the
lawyer said in a statement.
Saying gay men and lesbians are
“destroying” the nation, Zimbabwe's
President Robert Mugabe has rejected a call to add sexual orientation
as a protected class in a constitution being drawn up under a
power-sharing deal.
At least 37 African countries currently
outlaw being gay and anti-gay sentiment in common throughout the
continent.
Last week, two
men in Malawi were sentenced to a harsh 14-years of hard labor for
participating in a symbolic engagement ceremony in December.