LUSAKA, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government said Wednesday that it will launch investigations following revelations that one of the opposition parties was linked to promotion of homosexuality.

Wynter Kabimba, a former minister of justice and now leader of the opposition Rainbow Party, revealed on Tuesday that some of the party's members who have broken away and formed the Socialist Party left as they differed on sexual orientation and adherence to Christian values.

But Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said if the allegations were true, then it was regrettable as Zambian laws do not support homosexuality.

"Investigations will be launched to establish whether there are some elements of truth and if it is found, the necessary action will be taken by law enforcement agencies," he said.

He added that the action may also include deregistering the party.

According to him, the issue of homosexuality in Zambia was not only a moral issue but the country's laws do not allow such practices.

Meanwhile, the Socialist Party has described the allegations as false, baseless and shameful.

Cosmas Musumali, the party's general secretary, said he and others did not give any reasons when they left the Rainbow Party and that the reasons given by the former justice minister were not true, according to local media.

Same-sex relationships are illegal in Zambia, with those found guilty risking jail time of up to 14 years.