In pictures: The life of Canaan Banana

1 of 6 Canaan Banana, a Methodist Minister and Professor of Theology, was Zimbabwe's first president, 1980-1987. He died of cancer of Monday, aged 67.

2 of 6 Banana, left, was a ceremonial leader, while Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, right, held the real power.

3 of 6 After helping to broker peace between Mr Mugabe and his rival, Joshua Nkomo, he helped mediate in the conflict in Liberia as well as South Africa's post-apartheid transition.

4 of 6 He caused a storm of controversy in 1998 by fleeing Zimbabwe, shortly before he was due to stand trial for a string of alleged sexual assaults on his male servants.

5 of 6 After meeting President Nelson Mandela in South Africa, he agreed to return home, was found guilty in a sensational trial and spent six months in prison.

6 of 6 He always denied being homosexual and his wife, Janet, stood by him throughout the trial before they separated in 2000.