Staff Reporter

The Clergy and Social Analysts have called for the barring of a well-known South African gay activist, Somizi Mhlongo, aka ‘Somiz’ from attending the re-opening of Garwe Restaurant as the Guest Chef.

In a letter, addressed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe said they feel strongly against the visit by Somizi because of his sexual orientation and his mere presence violates the country’s constitution.

“Somizi is a homosexual, hence according to our people driven Constitution, Zimbabwe doesn’t tolerate homosexuality.  It is therefore our question, if we allow Somiz to come to our land, spiritually we would have been disturbed a lot, and physically we would have openly accepted homosexuality in Zimbabwe hence affecting our children,” read the letter.

During his recent visit to the United Kingdom (UK), Glasglow for COP26, President Mnangagwa, is on record saying the decision to bar gay rights is a collective choice by Zimbabweans, which was arrived at through a referendum and not an individual undemocratic imposition.

Speaking in an interview with CNN News Anchor, Richard Austin Quest on the possibility of overturning of laws against homosexuality and gay rights, President Mnangagwa said, “In our current constitution it is banned, I will not lead a campaign, those people who want that are the people who must canvas for such things so that if they are able to win majority in amending the constitution they will amend it, but it is not my duty on that issue to say I want to campaign for this. It is my duty to obey my constitution I will not be persuaded to violate my constitution.”

He added that, “It’s never a priority in Zimbabwe to deal with that issue, during 2013 when everyone was able to canvas, those who canvased for that position lost, we go by the majority view of the people and currently the majority view is what I am stating.”

Reiterating President Mnangagwa’s position, Social Analyst Tendai Chirau, posted on his Twitter handle and said, “I have engaged the owner of the outlet (Garwe Restaurant) Ms Mandi expressing our concerns and those by different societal groups over the invitation of one highly controversial guest.  I am glad to announce that the owner took heed of the great concerns and elected to remove the said character from the guest list and never to associate themselves with the said character again.

“As a nation we all need to be alert against the encroachment of foreign and uncouth practices that are against the dictates of our morals and constitution,” concluded Chirau.

The Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe represents all indigenous churches in Zimbabwe, and are strongly rooted in upholding the culture of our nation.  Meanwhile, it is everyone’s constitutional right to canvas for their rights as the constitution does not forbid people with different opinions from canvasing for the opinions they may have.