by Mike Andrew - SGN Staff Writer

Zimbabwe's new constitution will ban homosexuality, reproductive choice, and assisted suicide, according to a government minister.

Didymus Mutasa - Minister of Presidential Affairs in Zimbabwe's government - made the claim in a June 21 speech in Odzi, Zimbabwe, reported by Radio Voice of the People.

Mutasa is a political ally of Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe, and is Politburo Secretary for Administration in Mugabe's party, ZANU (PF).

Mugabe has repeatedly made inflammatory anti-Gay statements, calling Gay people "crazy" and saying they are "destroying nationhood."

Mutasa spoke during a ZANU (PF) meeting attended by members of the party's politburo, central committee, provincial executive, and district structures.

"As a party, we now have our positions for inclusion in the new constitution and we hope these will be captured accurately," Mutasa said.

"Practices such as homosexuality, abortion and euthanasia, which offend human and public morality, should be outlawed."

Mutasa said the new constitution should provide stiff penalties to ensure that Gay people are dealt with severely.

ZANU (PF) is a Leninist-influenced African nationalist party. It has no connections to US evangelical Christians who are reportedly driving Uganda's efforts to crack down on its Gay population.

In fact, Mutasa expressed anger against Christian organizations he claimed were lobbying for constitutional protections for Gay rights.

Mutasa said outside interference in Zimbabwe's laws was unacceptable.

"We are surprised that some Christian organizations are advocating for Gay rights to be included in the constitution, yet we know that Gay marriages are even forbidden in the Bible," he said.

Mutasa also condemned reproductive choice.

"As for abortion, we say no to it because it is just like murder. Why should people push for abortion when they voluntarily engage in activities that result in them falling pregnant?" he asked.

"If our mothers had aborted, we could not have been here today. As a party, we are saying abortion may only be conducted by a qualified medical practitioner to terminate pregnancy arising from rape or incest," he said.

Mutasa said traditional leaders should work closely with government to safeguard Zimbabwe's morality and culture.

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