Banana gay rape inquiry

Police in Zimbabwe said yesterday they would investigate sodomy charges against former President Canaan Banana, and a lawyer for a policeman allegedly raped by the politician demanded a criminal trial.

Police commissioner Augustine Chihuri said he ordered an investigation into a homosexual liaison forced on policeman Jefta Dube, 36, by Mr Banana, 60, an ally of President Robert Mugabe. Byron Hove, Mr Dube's lawyer, said evidence in the High Court on Monday showed Mr Banana used his power to coerce Mr Dube into homosexual acts between 1983 and 1986. AP - Harare