The BBC's Joseph Winter in Harare: "The implications for Zimbabwe's gays are not clear"

Mr Banana fled to Botswana after failing to appear for sentence at his trial. Reports suggest he may have already left for another country despite an arrest warrant issued by the trial judge.

Botswana officials say they have not received a request for political asylum from the former head of state who is travelling without a passport.

A court convicted the Christian Methodist minister after it heard that he abused his position to force male staff to have sex with him.

Zimbabwe's gay rights lobby group GALZ has condemned the abuse of power that they say is the main issue arising from the trial of Mr Banana.

President Mugabe: Thought to be embarrassed by case

But speaking to the BBC, a spokesman for the group added that the case has publicly destroyed President Mugabe's argument that homosexuality was un-African.

Professor Banana, president between 1980 and 1987, had denied all 11 charges of sodomy and homosexual assault and had been on bail since September.

Sodomy is illegal in Zimbabwe and punishable with up to five years imprisonment.

Observers say the case has deeply embarrassed President Mugabe, who has described same-sex partners as "lower than pigs and dogs".