A judge in Zimbabwe has issued a warrant for the arrest of the former president, Canaan Banana, following his failure to appear in court to hear that he had been found guilty of homosexual assault.

Court officials said Mr Banana had fled to neighbouring Botswana, where he is said to have asked for political asylum.

Mr Banana, a Christian minister, was president for an interim period after the end of white-rule until he was succeeded by President Mugabe.

He was convicted of all eleven charges involving sodomy and homosexual assault after the court heard evidence he had abused his position to force staff to have sex with him.