Controversy Trails Judges as Maison Sere Wins 2015 Zimbabwe's Mr Ugly Pageant (Photos)

Posted by Odinaka on Mon 23rd Nov, 2015 - tori.ng

An unemployed man missing several teeth, was crowned Zimbabwe's ugliest man at a pub pageant in Harare, but the contest turned ugly when the runner-up accused judges of bias.

Mison Sere smiles after winning the 2015 edition of the Mr Ugly competition in Harare

On Saturday, November 21, pageant judges crowned a new winner of Zimbabwe’s 4th annual 'Mister Ugly' contest, upsetting supporters of the crowd favourite and prompting riots at the event.

The Judges reportedly chose 42-year-old Mison Sere, citing his numerous missing front teeth and a wide range of grotesque facial expressions, over William Masvinu, who had held the title since 2012.

Mr Ugly champion Mison Sere sits on another man’s shoulders as he celebrates his win

Dressed in torn overalls, Sere beat off five other contestants for the $500 Mr Ugly prize - a large sum in a country facing massive unemployment.

"I want to thank God for winning this title, last time I came fourth. I just want to thank the judges for recognising me as the winner," Sere told journalists during a night of festivities on Friday attended by 200 revellers.

Masvinu and his supporters mobbed the judges upon hearing their decision, claiming that Sere was 'too handsome' to win and his ugliness wasn’t natural since it was based on missing teeth.

Contestants strut their stuff for the 2015 Mr Ugly contest in Harare

"The judges were not fair, the organisers must look for new judges to start the contest afresh. I did not lose today. I am naturally ugly. He is not. He is ugly only when he opens his mouth," maintained Masvinu, gesturing at his rival.

"Do we have to lose our teeth to win? This is cheating," shouted another contestant, Patrick Mupereki.

Sere, who is unemployed, dismissed the critics as just 'sore losers' as he pocketed the $500 in winnings. "They should just accept that I am uglier than them," he said.

Not Impressed: Reigning Mr Ugly and 3-times winner, William Masivinu is furious about losing his crown

Judge Abigail Mataranyika, a university student, said; "Sere made tremendous effort to enhance his ugliness by pulling facial stunts. Masvinu thought he is so ugly that he didn’t need to try hard. That cost him the crown."

Pageant organiser, David Machowa originally told the Associated Press that he began the contest in 2012 to remove the stigma of ugliness and to celebrate 'beauty in ugliness.'

"The show last night was very successful, and I still have plans to host Mr Ugly world. Looks are God given. We should all be proud of who we are."