HARARE – Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has issued a strong condemnation and warning following unveiling of the Munhu-Munhu scholarship scheme availed exclusively to underprivileged members of Zimbabwe’s LGBTI community through the Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ).

According to an advert circulated by GALZ, the scholarship provides full tuition fees, stationery, accommodation expenses, and mentorship to LGBTI individuals between the ages of 18 and 35, who hold Zimbabwean nationality.

The scheme has been received with mixed feelings among locals, with some, on one hand, criticising it as promoting a specific sexual orientation, while others view it as a positive development for marginalised individuals within the LGBTI community.

In a statement Thursday, Chiwenga labelled the scholarship as a foreign-funded unconstitutional agenda aimed at promoting “unAfrican” sexual orientations.

“The Government of Zimbabwe strongly and firmly rejects and denounces as unlawful, unchristian, anti-Zimbabwean and unAfrican insidious attempts by foreign interests to entice, lure and recruit, Zimbabwe’s less privileged but able students into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activities and malpractices through offers of educational scholarships.

“Zimbabwe has legislated against all such deviances, making any offers predicated on the same aberrations both unlawful and criminal, and a grave and gross affront on our national values and ethos as a Christian Nation.

“To that end, government sees such scholarship offers as a direct challenge on its authority, and thus will not hesitate to take appropriate measures to enforce national laws, and to protect and defend national values,” said Chiwenga.

He vowed local schools and institutions of higher learning would not entertain and enrol the underprivileged LGBTI applicants.

“Our schools and institutions of higher learning will not entertain applicants, let alone enrol persons associated with such alien, anti-life, un-African and unchristian values which are being promoted and cultivated by, as well as practised in decadent societies with whom we share no moral or cultural affinities.

“Zimbabwe is a sovereign, African State with definite laws and values which typify it, cutting it apart from other mores.

“Young Zimbabweans who qualify for enrollment into tertiary institutions here and elsewhere, should approach Government Departments tasked to give grants and scholarship support to deserving cases. They should never be tempted to trade or sell their souls for such abominable and devilish offers,” added Chiwenga.

Zimbabwe has maintained tough policies against gays.