A Zimbabwean man has told a court that he hired a prostitute who during the night transformed into a donkey, and that he is now "seriously in love" with the animal.

On Sunday Moyo, who has been charged with wildness, told a court in Zvishavane that his donkey lover was in fact a hooker whose services he procured from a nightclub.

Police on routine patrol in the early hours of Sunday had stumbled upon the 28-year-old, from Mandava township, performing a sex act on the donkey inside his yard. The animal was lying on the ground with its neck tied to a tree.

Moyo admitted to the wildness offence, but proceeded to tell the magistrates his colourful tale, "Your worship, I only came to know that I was being intimate with a donkey when I got arrested.

 I had hired a prostitute and paid $20 (Rs 980) for the service at Down Town nightclub and I don't know how she then became a donkey... but I am seriously in love."

Moyo has been remanded in custody until October 27 and been ordered to undergo psychiatric tests.