Samukeliso Sithole claims he was born with both male and female genitals. He told a Kwekwe court that his parents had consulted a traditional healer and that the healer had provided herbs which made him female.

But because his parents had only paid half the fee due to the healer, his male genitalia had reappeared. In fact, he said, on the day that he appeared in court he had been due to pay the settlement amount and if he had been able to do this, his male genitalia would have gone away again.

The athlete was outed as a man while waiting with friends for a train at a Zimbabwean railway station, the Herald newspaper reported

Friend and fellow female athletics competitor Melita Mudondiro has filed charges of crimen injuria and impersonation against Sithole, saying she had frequently dressed and undressed in front of him, believing he was a woman.

Sithole has won several regional gold and silver medals for triple jump, shot put and javelin.

The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe said it was still investigating the case.

He was remanded to March 3 for trial.

09 February 2005