POLICE in Harare say they are holding two men after lurid mobile snaps of them kissing were leaked.
Police were called to a phone repair shop at the Gulf Complex shopping centre on Monday after employees stumbled on the pictures.
A phone had been left to recharge at the shop by a man identified by staff only as Andrew – a shop assistant at a nearby store.
A curious employee at the repair shop went through the phone and found several pictures including one showing Andrew in a clinch with another man, Esau, who is said to be a vendor, and a second showing the pair in a naked embrace on a bed.
Harare police spokesman Inspector James Sabau said: “I can confirm that we have arrested two men who are assisting officers with their investigations following the discovery of a set of images of a sexual nature. No charges have been brought at present.”
Police say the men are likely to be charged with crimes against morality, specifically sodomy. They face up to a year in jail if convicted.
Several witnesses who witnessed the arrest told how the discovery of the pictures led to chaotic scenes at the shopping complex.
One man, a vendor who knows the two suspects, said: “A huge crowd gathered at the phone shop and some people wanted to mete out instant justice on the two.
“People were jabbing at them and asking them what they were doing. Andrew muttered something to the effect that they went on a night out two weeks ago and Esau, who lives in Parktown, ended up at his house in Budiriro.
“He claimed they were wasted and ended up behaving strangely. They both claimed they don’t know who took the pictures.”
Another witness said police had difficulties controlling the swelling crowd that made catcalls as the two were led away.
Zimbabwe’s gay community has been lobbying politicians to repeal anti-homosexual legislation in a new constitution currently being drafted, but the country’s population remains largely conservative and reforms to the current legislation are unlikely.