NEWS Zimbabwe's first black president Canaan Banana dies November 11, 2003 HARARE — Zimbabwe's first black president, Canaan Banana, died Monday, his former close ally President Robert Mugabe announced in a statement broadcast on state television. Mugabe described the controversial Banana, who was in power here between 1980-1987 as "a rare gift to our nation". Banana, 67, had been ill for some time. Mugabe, who served under Banana as prime minister and then took over from him in 1987, said his predecessor had undergone treatment in hospitals in South Africa. "He joins a proud list of makers of our nation," Mugabe said. A Methodist minister and a theologian, Banana fell into disrepute more than a decade after he left office. He was arrested in Zimbabwe in 1996 on charges of sexually assaulting his former bodyguard, Jefta Dube. He fled to neighbouring South Africa while on bail, but returned home after meeting with then South African president, Nelson Mandela. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail by the High Court in 1999, but served only two years in prison and was released in 2001. After that he led a very low-profile existence. Years before, Banana played a key role in the fight against white rule in what was then Rhodesia. He was vice president of the African National Council (ANC) in Rhodesia and fled to the US in the late 1960s fearing arrest back home. Mugabe said Banana had been the "quiet and modest author" of the landmark 1987 Unity Accord. The deal brought to an end bloody frictions between Mugabe's predominantly Shona Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU) which had its support base in the southern Matabeleland region of the country. Banana was a member of ZANU-PF. Banana's estranged wife Janet sought asylum in Britain in 2000. The couple had four children. "The nation shares in their deep grief," Mugabe said, referring to Banana's family. It was not immediately clear where and when Banana will be buried. –Sapa-AFP Sentence on Banana postponed while search for him continues Gay group: Banana does not qualify for political asylum in S. Africa Mugabe gay hate campaign spawns rampant blackmail of gays Ex-president's aide alleges sodomy by Banana