JOHN Nkomo’s accuser has slipped out of the country, claiming he fears for his life.

Last month, Mncedisi Thwala sensationally claimed he had been sexually assaulted by the Zanu PF national chairman in 2002, but he was arrested instead and spent a week in prison although no charges were brought.

This week, Bulawayo’s top prosecutor insisted that Nkomo was “technically” still under investigation over the alleged sexual attack on the 31-year-old man at a Bulawayo hotel.

Simon Nleya said: “It is true that there is an investigation. The last time the matter was brought to the courts, the police were told to carry out further investigations into the matter.

“And as we speak right now, the investigations are going on. When we look at it technically, both sides to this whole issue are under investigation.

“The instruction is that the investigations will have to establish if the complainant told the truth in his report to the police, and the investigators are also under instruction to check whether the accused really committed the said offence.”

Nkomo, who is tipped to become Zimbabwe’s second vice president following the death of Joseph Msika, has denied the charges and claims that Thwala is being used by his political opponents.

New Zimbabwe.com understands that police have recorded a statement from Nkomo over Thwala’s allegations.

But the investigation has suffered a setback after Thwala left the country for South Africa last week. Thwala has been a frequent traveller between Zimbabwe and South Africa since the alleged attack by Nkomo between 15 and 15 April in 2002.

Kucaca Phulu, head of the Bulawayo chapter of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who have been representing Thwala said they were “waiting for the dust to settle" and would soon be writing to the police for an update on the investigation.

Thwala, a father of two, has told in graphic detail how Nkomo allegedly lured him to the Presidential Suite of Bulawayo’s Rainbow Hotel where he offered him alcohol, begged him to dance to country music with him and kissed him before performing oral sex on him.

Nkomo, according to Thwala’s account, said his manhood “doesn’t work” and he prefers to be dominated by other men in bed.

Following the alleged assault, Nkomo is said to have given Thwala an envelope marked ‘Service Fees’ with Z$2,000.

Nkomo has denied that he was booked at the hotel at the material time and insists he has never met Thwala.