Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

Vice President Constantine Chiwenga has denounced a scholarship program for gay students in Zimbabwe as an unlawful, unchristian, anti-Zimbabwean and un-African attempt by foreign interests to lure less privileged students into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activities.

In a statement,  V.P Chiwenga said the government sees such scholarship offers as an attack on its authority,  and will respond by taking legal measure to protect national values. He said the country’s learning institutions will not accept students who enrol under such programmes.

“The Government of Zimbabwe strongly and firmly rejects and denounces as unlawful, unchristian, anti-Zimbabwean and unAfrican insidious attempts by foreign interests to entice, lure and recruit, Zimbabwe’s less privileged but able students into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activities and malpractices through offers of educational scholarships.

“Zimbabwe has legislated against all such deviances, making any offers predicated on the same aberrations both unlawful and criminal, and a grave and gross affront on our national values and ethos as a Christian Nation. To that end, Government sees such scholarship offers as a direct challenge on its authority, and thus will not hesitate to take appropriate measures to enforce national laws, and to protect and defend national values.

“Our schools and institutions of higher learning will not entertain applicants, let alone enroll persons associated with such alien, anti-life, un-African and unchristian values. Young Zimbabweans who qualify for enrollment into tertiary institutions here and elsewhere, should approach Government Departments tasked to give grants and scholarship support to deserving cases. They should never be tempted to trade or sell their souls for such abominable and devilish offers,” he said.

He was responding to a scholarship program that was advertised by the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) called Munhu-Munhu, where students who identify themselves under the LGBTI community willi get financial support to further their studies at any local university of their choice.

Zimbabwean laws prohibit same sexual activities under the Criminal Law Act 2006, which criminalises acts of ‘sodomy’. This provision carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine. Only men are criminalised under this law.