/ 27 November 1998

Banana to Botswana

Former Zimbabwean president Canaan Banana skipped bail and fled to Botswana, days before the Harare High Court found him guilty on 11 sex charges.

Banana was found guilty in absentia on Thursday on two charges of sodomy, seven of indecent assault and two of committing unnatural acts. Sentencing will take place on December 10, and an arrest warrant has been issued for the former cleric.

The Herald newspaper said the 62-year-old former Methodist clergyman has been staying in Mogoditshane, outside the Botswana capital Gaborone, for the past four days.

Banana used his position as president to force aides, bodyguards and a gardener to have sex with him. After he left office, he sexually molested a job seeker he met on the streets.

Despite the fact that his bail conditions forbade him from travelling outside the country, the Zimbabwean foreign ministry was aware of Banana’s movements.

The foreign ministry in Botswana also confirmed his presence in their country. – AFP