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Tsvangirai flip-flops on gay rights
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
March 30, 2010

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=17094&cat=1

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has become "uncomfortable" with his public position on "gay rights", with an official in his office now saying that what he had made was a personal stand and not the party line.

Observes yesterday said the U-turn was influenced by party sponsors who are sympathetic to "gay rights".

An official in his office was quoted as saying PM Tsvangirai's sentiments were "light-hearted" and "personal".

At International Women's Day at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex last week, PM Tsvangirai said he totally agreed with President Mugabe against including "gay rights" in Zimbabwe's proposed new constitution.

He said: "Unogodirei kutsvaga mumwe murume yet vakadzi make up 52 percent (of the population)? Varume titori vashoma."

"Women are 52 percent of the population. There are more women than men. Why should men propose to men?"

Political analysts yesterday said the attempt to downplay this was meant to "ease pressure from MDC-T's paymasters".

Mr Godwin Mureriwa said: "President Mugabe and PM Tsvangirai's sentiments on gays are honest sentiments shared by the majority of Zimbabweans."

He said MDC-T was afraid of antagonising the wealthy gay community.

"They seem to have advised PM Tsvangirai not to upset their paymasters, hence the change."

Mr Gabriel Chaibva said MDC-T had received funding from pro-gay groups.

"They have been sponsored by people like the late (Keith) Goddard and this is why people like Peter Tatchel are very vocal against President Mugabe.

"This is a desperate attempt to placate the fury of international gay movements," he said.

Another commentator, Mr Goodwills Masimirembwa, said: "I am not surprised by the apparent change in defence of homosexuality.

"MDC-T has never been consistent on fundamental issues affecting the people of Zimbabwe.

"They claim to articulate the values and aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe, but as soon as their paymasters push them they buckle like what Mr Tsvangirai did on the issue of sanctions.

"They are not principled."

Yesterday, MDC-T spokesman Mr Nelson Chamisa again failed to enunciate what the party position was.

"Let the people decide. We trust in the people's wisdom and collective decisions and the people's collective voice is always binding," he said.

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