Disgraced ex-US congressman hides in South Africa

A disgraced former US Representative says he has gone into hiding in South Africa and fears for his life, after being deported from Zimbabwe.

Former member of US House of Representatives Mel Reynolds said in a recent interview with the Associated Press that a secret Zimbabwean death squad is pursuing him over his knowledge on American businessmen conducting illegal business activities in Zimbabwe.

The former US congressman, who is a convicted sex offender, accused the ruling party of Zimbabwe of trumping up pornography charges against him two weeks ago to discredit him.

Media reports stated that Reynolds was arrested at a local hotel on February 16 after he was found in possession of pornographic videos and pictures.

Other reports said the congressman’s visa had expired and he was in the country illegally.

The pornography charges were later dropped on a technicality while he pleaded guilty to violating Zimbabwe’s immigration laws.

After paying a USD 100 fine, he was deported to South Africa on February 23.

In 1995, Reynolds stepped down from the US Congress after he was convicted in a statutory rape case of a 16-year-old girl who worked for him in a campaign drive.