Harare man has been killed in a violent altercation after mocking another man as gay for wearing earrings.
Maxwell Mahanzu (32) was struck with a stone and died instantly at the Boka Bus Terminus along the Harare-Masvingo Road on Monday.Police spokespersons confirmed the arrest of Benedict Ruebena, who is now facing murder charges.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said:
“On 06/01/25, Police in Harare arrested Benedict Ruebena in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Boka Bus terminus along Harare-Masvingo Road. The suspect hit the victim, Maxwell Mahanzu (32), with a stone after the victim mocked him, claiming that he was gay since he was wearing earrings. The victim died on the spot.”
In Zimbabwe, calling someone gay is often viewed as a serious insult in a country where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments are deeply ingrained.
This hostility has roots in the rhetoric of former President Robert Mugabe, who openly denounced homosexuality, calling gay people “worse than dogs and pigs.”
Despite global efforts to normalise LGBTQ+ rights, Zimbabwe remains a country where such accusations can ignite deadly confrontations, underscoring the need for deeper societal introspection and tolerance.
