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Lesbian couple tying knot. Zimbabwean police at the weekend arrested 44 members of a gays and lesbians group who had gathered to discuss the country’s new draft constitution.
By KITSEPILE NYATHI in Harare Monday, August 13 2012
Zimbabwean minister orders eviction of gays
Zimbabwe police over the weekend arrested 44 members of a gay and lesbian group who had gathered to discuss the country’s new draft constitution.
The Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) said its members were arrested at its offices in Harare on Saturday and were released the following morning without any charges.
“GALZ deplores the arrest of its 44 members who had attended the launch of the Galz Violations Report and a briefing on the second draft of the Zimbabwe Constitution on 11 August 2012 at the GALZ offices,” the group said in a statement released Monday.
“Four police officers attempted to gain entry into the premises before calling for backup whereupon some 15 riot squad members descended on the office and carried out the arrests.
“Thirty one men and13 women members were detained overnight at Harare Central Police Station on 11 August 2012.”
Chief Inspector James Sabau, the police spokesperson, said the 44 were only taken for screening after police received information that there were suspects they were looking for hiding at the premises.
Dogs and pigs
He did not say if the suspects were wanted in connection with GALZ activities nor did he clarify whether the tipoff was given to deliberately mislead the police.
Zimbabwe outlaws homosexuality and President Robert Mugabe has in the past described gays and lesbians as worse than dogs and pigs.
GALZ claimed some of its members were assaulted while in police custody, an allegation that was dismissed by Chief Inspector Sabau.
“Police, some of them visibly drunk, assaulted most of the members using baton sticks, open hands and clenched fists before detaining them without charge,” GALZ said.
“GALZ does not condone violence and we are not a threat.
“Those who cause violence are a threat to public safety and security and we ask that they stay away from our premises.”
President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF early this year protested that the proposed new constitution had a clause that appeared to legalise homosexuality. 
Zimbabwean minister orders eviction of gays
Zimbabwe police over the weekend arrested 44 members of a gay and lesbian group who had gathered to discuss the country’s new draft constitution.
The Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) said its members were arrested at its offices in Harare on Saturday and were released the following morning without any charges.
“GALZ deplores the arrest of its 44 members who had attended the launch of the Galz Violations Report and a briefing on the second draft of the Zimbabwe Constitution on 11 August 2012 at the GALZ offices,” the group said in a statement released Monday.
“Four police officers attempted to gain entry into the premises before calling for backup whereupon some 15 riot squad members descended on the office and carried out the arrests.
“Thirty one men and13 women members were detained overnight at Harare Central Police Station on 11 August 2012.”
Chief Inspector James Sabau, the police spokesperson, said the 44 were only taken for screening after police received information that there were suspects they were looking for hiding at the premises.
Dogs and pigs
He did not say if the suspects were wanted in connection with GALZ activities nor did he clarify whether the tipoff was given to deliberately mislead the police.
Zimbabwe outlaws homosexuality and President Robert Mugabe has in the past described gays and lesbians as worse than dogs and pigs.
GALZ claimed some of its members were assaulted while in police custody, an allegation that was dismissed by Chief Inspector Sabau.
“Police, some of them visibly drunk, assaulted most of the members using baton sticks, open hands and clenched fists before detaining them without charge,” GALZ said.
“GALZ does not condone violence and we are not a threat.
“Those who cause violence are a threat to public safety and security and we ask that they stay away from our premises.”
President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF early this year protested that the proposed new constitution had a clause that appeared to legalise homosexuality.
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