10/02/2005)

The Zimbabwean national athletics association (NAAZ) has suspended one of the country’s top female athletes after the discovery that 'she' was a man.

NAAZ president, Joseph Mungwari, announced his association's decision to ban multiple medal winner Samukeliso Sithole from all competitions until the matter in which he is facing charges of crimen injuria (psychological offence) have been finalised.

He told local journalists: "We heard that the athlete was arrested and as an association, we held a meeting and decided to suspend him.

"We only took the decision (to suspend the athlete) pending the outcome of the police investigations."

The state-run Herald newspaper reported that fellow female competitor Melita Mudondiro has filed charges of crimen injuria and impersonation against her, as she had frequently dressed and undressed in front of him, being under the impression he was a woman.

Sithole won the only gold medal for Zimbabwe at the Southern Region Championships in Botswana in June 2004.

And also scooped five gold medals and a bronze in long jump, shot-putt, javelin, high jump and 400m hurdles at a provincial youth championships in Masvingo, while competing as a female.

Lancashire Steel Athletics Club runner Sithole was arrested while waiting with friends outside a train station in Kwekwe, shortly after another man made the revelation.

The regional multi-event medallist in triple jump, shot put and javelin, claimed he was born with both male and female genitals after a doctor found him to be male.

Sithole told a Kwekwe magistrate court that his parents had consulted a traditional healer in the eastern district of Chipinge and the healer had provided herbs that made him female.

He has been remanded in prison till March 3 for trial and faces a fine if convicted.