In a move likely to anger the party’s leadership, a Zanu PF councillor in central Zimbabwe said he supports gay rights.

Richman Rangwani, a councillor and HIV campaigner in Mhondoro-Ngezi, attended an event in the Netherlands on Saturday for International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

He told delegates that many Zimbabweans were opposed to homosexuality simply because they lacked knowledge about the issue.

“If we have all this information in the community where I am coming from, things will be a lot different l can tell you,” Mr Rangwani said.

“SafAids [an African HIV support network] came to my community and they have managed to talk to 250 or more headmen [tribal leaders] and let me tell you this, they understand.

“The problem is that the people do not have information about this matter.”

Mr Rangwani vowed to continue fighting for the rights of gay Zimbabweans

“I am saying today the International Day Against Homophobia is a milestone, wait and find out in the next two years and if God permits me to live the next five years, I would have done something personally, I am not afraid,” he said.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, leader of Zanu PF, is well known for his anti-gay views and polices.

The 90-year-old said in April that he “pities” the Queen, for having to deal with Britain’s “gay habits”.

Days prior Mugabe threatened to expel any diplomats who mention homosexuality in Zimbabwe.

In March, Mugabe defended Uganda’s anti-gay legislation by saying it’s a “human right” for men to marry women.

He has also tried to ban gay rights campaigners from operating in this country.