Mon Sep 09 16:10:04 UTC 2024: ## Zimbabwean Men Face 14-Year Sentence for Sodomy
**Harare, Zimbabwe** – Two men, Tavimbanashe Chawatama (28) and Leonard Nyakudya (25), are facing up to 14 years in prison in Zimbabwe after being charged with sodomy. The men were arrested following a dispute over missing money, with details of their alleged same-sex relationship emerging during the investigation.
The charges stem from Zimbabwe’s colonial-era laws that criminalize consensual same-sex activity. LGBTQ+ individuals in the country face severe discrimination and lack protection from discrimination in employment or housing.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the men had been living together for a year and engaged in same-sex sexual activity, evidence of which was found on their phones. While the police were initially called to investigate the missing money, the revelation of their relationship led to their arrest.
This case highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in Zimbabwe, where being openly gay can be dangerous and isolating. Activists continue to advocate for the repeal of discriminatory laws and the protection of LGBTQ+ individuals.
First Piper 