Zimbabwe MP 'detained for calling Mugabe gay'

A Zimbabwean parliamentarian was held in custody for seven days after saying President Robert Mugabe had gay sex with another politician, state media reported Thursday.

The state charged Lynette Karenyi, of the Movement for Democratic Change, with saying "Robert Mugabe, president of Zanu-PF, had homosexual relations" with another politician, according to The Herald newspaper.

"Karenyi is alleged to have insulted President Mugabe, while addressing an MDC rally held on December 9 at Nhedziwa football grounds in Chimanimani," the paper reported.

Mugabe who is known for saying that gays and lesbians are "worse than pigs and dogs" last month labelled British Prime Minister David Cameron "satanic" for saying that countries that want aid from London must accept gays rights.

Both Karenyi and her party declined to comment on the matter to AFP but the newspaper said she was "denying the allegations being levelled against her."

The politician was released on Thursday after paying $200 bail.

The MDC and Mugabe's Zanu-PF are in an uneasy government of national unity following disputed polls in 2008.

The MDC has accused the police of arresting their officials and supporters on trumped up charges to settle political scores.