Namibia to act on the 'pink threat'

THE President of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, seems to have gone one step further than his counterpart in Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, by stating publicly that homosexuals entering the country through its main airport in Windhoek, will be immediately deported. According to The Namibian newspaper, Nujoma said homosexuals would be barred from entering Namibia. "If anyone arrives at the Hosea Kutako Airport and are found to be homosexuals or gay couples, they will be sent back on the same plane," said Nujoma. He further expressed his disgust at the Netherlands allowing same-sex marriages. Travel Now tried to ascertain the threat to tourists identified as homosexuals entering the country, who could face immediate deportation by calling the Namibian Tourist Office in Johannesburg. The enquiry was forwarded to the Namibian High Commission in Pretoria. A senior official at the High Commission said she was unaware of any plans to deport foreign nationals based on sexual orientation. (Miguel de Sousa)