The first man to win the "Mr. Gay Namibia" contest has been stripped of his title pending an investigation into domestic violence charges, reports The Namibian via AllAfrica.com.
Wendelinus Hamutenya won the title in November 2011. He later competed in "Mr. Gay World" and became one of the first Black contestants to represent an African nation. If proven true, the domestic violence charges and title suspension would be a disappointing end to a promising career.
Chris de Villiers, one of the organisers, said: “It has come to the attention of the Mr Gay Namibia organisation that Mr Wendelinus Hamutenya , the former title holder of the Mr Gay Namibia 2011 title, is accused of unbecoming conduct. Due to the gravity of the accusations against him the Mr Gay Namibia organisation had no alternative but to suspend him with immediate effect on November 24 2012, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Hamutenya has a domestic violence case pending against him in Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon enquiry about his suspension, Hamutenya yesterday said: "I’m not sure about that. I just heard rumours." He accused the organisers of wanting to sabotage his projects.
Asked about the allegations of domestic violence, he said: "There was something like that, but it was later withdrawn."
Hamutenya's reign as Mr. Gay Namibia also began with violence. Hamutenya was robbed and beaten immediately after the contest. Hamutenya says he was assaulted "by two men who [approached] him and requested the money" he won in the contest. The culprits made off with approximately N$200 or $25USD in cash.
Namibia has not passed any laws against gays or lesbians and its
constitution forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,"
reports South Africa's News 24.
"Former president and liberation struggle icon Sam Nujoma during his
rule had however spoken our strongly against gays and lesbians."
Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. The neighboring Republic of South Africa is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality.
Some Background:
Mr. Gay Namibia Robbed and Assaulted
Zimbabwean Withdraws from Mr. Gay World
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