Harare: A 42-year-old unemployed man 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.

Maison Sere, who was missing several teeth and dressed in torn overalls, beat off five other contestants for the $500 Mr Ugly prize—a large sum in a country facing massive unemploment.

‘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 Friday attended by 200 revellers.

But William Masvinu, a three-time Mr Ugly winner who walked off with a $100 second prize this year, cried foul.

‘The judges were not fair, the organisers must look for new judges to start the contest afresh. I did not lose today,’ Masvinu said.

Show organiser David Machowa said he created the pageant in 2012 to celebrate ‘beauty in ugliness’.

‘The show last night was very successful, and I still have plans to host Mr Ugly world,’ he said.