Somizi slams Zim church groups for blocking visit
SOUTH African socialite and gay rights activist Somizi Mhlongo has hit back at Zimbabwean church groups which protested against his entry into Zimbabwe because of his sexuality.
Mhlongo was blocked from entering Zimbabwe this week after some church groups and the Zanu-PF Youth League complained to the government about letting a known homosexual into the country.
The Star understands that Mhlongo was supposed to make an appearance at the opening of a new restaurant in Zimbabwe but was stopped because of the opposition from conservative Zimbabweans who claimed he would be a “spiritual disturbance”.
Seemingly upset, Mhlongo said the organisers of the event he was to make an appearance at had asked for their money back.
He posted a video on social media venting his disappointment.
“This is not the first time this has happened to me, I am okay with it. I live in a country where I am free to be me. It does not affect me ... Our Constitution is far better than anywhere else in the world,” Mhlongo said.
He said many African countries were struggling to accept gay people but said he was not the reason that people become gay.
He counted a number of countries including Uganda and Zimbabwe where gay people were living in fear.
“Nigeria is starting to ease up but they are still not there. What’s sad about it is that them telling me not to come to their country because I am gay won’t change anything with regards to people being gay or homosexual. I am not the reason that people are homosexual,” Mhlongo said.