Emmah Skhosana has been crippled in what she believes to be a transphobic hate crime.
This 39-year-old woman from Ext 22 in eMbalenhle struggles to use her left leg since the attack in August last year.
Skhosana, who is transgender, has been in a same-sex relationship for the past five years with a woman she had met in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We decided to live together until we get married,” she said.
However, the relationship went through a rough patch in 2021 and 2022 when Skhosana’s girlfriend had an affair with a man which led to two attacks on Skhosana.
“I began to notice that something was not right. When I found out what was going on, I approached the man. I wanted to explain to him that I am unhappy because he took my girlfriend,” said Skhosana.
The man did not take well to the confrontation. He allegedly assaulted Skhosana with knobkierie in June 2021, inflicting injuries on her face.
“How can a man use a knobkierie against a defenceless woman?” she asked.
Skhosana’s partner finally broke off the affair after the same man allegedly again attacked Skhosana in August last year.
This time he reportedly used a golf club, severely beating her. She needed to get an operation on her left leg.
Her assailant was arrested and granted bail. The case is still pending. Skhosana feels that men are undermining the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer ( LGBTQ) community.
“We are often the victims of abuse and cannot defend ourselves against their strength.”
Skhosana claims discrimination is still rife. A lot needs to be done to educate the eMbalenhle residents on the LGBTQ community.
She also warned members of the LGBTQ community not to date a man and a woman at the same time.
“This can lead to you being either injured or killed.”
Skhosana and her partner are still together.
The partner, who wants to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, told the Ridge Times that she regrets her affair.
“It breaks my heart to see what he had done to Emmah because of me. I wish I could reverse it,” she confessed.
Constable Busi Mthethwa, the eMbalenhle police spokesperson, confirmed a case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm was opened at the eMbalenlhe Police Station in August.
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