The City Times recently reported on a Daveyton man who shared room with his girlfriend’s corpse two days after killing her.
It has now emerged that 29-year-old Thembelihle ”Lihle” Sokhele was never the man’s girlfriend as initially reported, but was lesbian who became a victim of corrective rape.
People from Uthingo, an organisation promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights, protested outside the Benoni Magistrates Court during the suspect’s court appearance on October 2, demanding a harsher sentence for the alleged perpetrator.
Funo Dlangamandla, of Unthingo, said it’s a lie that Lihle was the man’s girlfriend.
“Lihle has never dated boys; I know for a fact that she died a lesbian,” she said, adding that they are very disappointed that Lihle had to be killed for being what she is.
“This is getting worse as, in the past month alone, three South Africans were killed for being lesbians.”
Dlangamandla said the government needs to do more to protect LGBTIs, as they are not safe and face danger every day.
Jabu Mahlangu, of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), also said it is very sad that Lihle was killed.
“It’s not good that people like Lihle’s rights continue to be violated, even though the constitution protects their existence,” he added.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) also condemned the incident and extended condolences to friends and loved ones.
DA Shadow MEC for social development in the Gauteng provincial legislature, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, said that, with similar incidents on the increase, it is critical that the government does more to protect and promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature recently held a LGBTI feedback session to respond to a dialogue held in March this year, as well as to plan for the LGBTI Sector Parliament, in November.
“However, the time for dialogues and feedback sessions is over and it is time for government to take action and reassure the LGBTI community that their rights are taken seriously,” said Nt’sekhe,.
She urged the department of social development to champion this cause and to embark on an education campaign in areas which are particularly affected by this issue.
“I will be submitting questions to the MEC of social development to ascertain what plans the department has in place to address this issue, to ensure that incidents of corrective rape no longer plague our society,” she said.
The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 23.
