Zimbabwe's Mugabe Says He Supports Polygamy

Addressing a gathering of pilgrims from across Africa in Marange on Saturday, to mark the Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect’s annual Passover, Mugabe once again castigated gays and lesbians describing them as worse than pigs and dogs.

He said it was better to marry many wives than to engage in gay and lesbian relationships.

“Our Constitution allows polygamy. We will not force people into monogamous marriages. It’s there even in the bible – Solomon was not only given wealth but many wives,” said Mugabe who had children with current wife Grace while former first lady Sally Mugabe was still alive.

He said the apostolic sect therefore had a right to be polygamous.

Mugabe also launched his now regular attack on gays and lesbians and said gay rights will never be included in the constitution of the country. However, the decision on what should be in the constitution rests with the people who will contribute their views and vote in a referendum.

Mugabe did not explain how he will stop the inclusion of same sex relationships in the constitution although it is a known fact that Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) youth and officials are intimidating people in the current outreach programmes.

“Today, the Anglican Church condones marriages between men and the same for women. The Archbishop of Canterbury is blessing such marriages – that is similar to dog behavior.

“At some point, I realised that I was reprimanding blameless dogs and pigs, which are aware that marriage is for procreation. “We say no to gays! We will not listen to those advocating the inclusion of their rights in the constitution,” charged Mugabe.

Two GALZ employees are currently facing charges of breaching censorship laws after a pornographic video disc and booklets were allegedly found in their offices during a police raid in May.

South Africa is the only nation in southern Africa that gives equal rights to gays.

In Malawi, a couple was jailed in December after holding the country’s first same-sex wedding and they were later pardoned by President Bingu Wa Mutarika following global condemnation.