Another suspected homophobic killing
SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, said the victim was rushed to hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.
THE South Coast is fast becoming the epicenter of homophobic killings as yet another member of the LGBTQI+ community has been murdered.
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A 24-year-old man appeared in Umbumbulu Magistrates Court on Friday, October 1, where he faced murder charges after he allegedly killed his cousin in a suspected homophobic attack. It is alleged that on Saturday, September 25, Njabulo Zungu and Sisanda Gumede got into an argument, following which Zungu drew a knife, stabbed Gumede once on the neck and fled. It is alleged that Zungu later went to the deceased’s family and told them he had rid them of a curse. SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, said the victim was rushed to hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.
“When the suspect heard that the police were searching for him, he left area and went into hidding. An investigation led detectives to Umkomaas where he was arresed,” said Mbhele.
Zungu was arrested on Wednesday, 29, and the knife believed to have been used to commit the crime was seized by police. In another homophobia-related killing, 22-year-old Anele Bhengu’s body was found dumped in a veld in KwaMakhutha in June with multiple stab wounds. Her throat was slit and she had been raped before being killed. Same Love Toti founder, Kim Lithgow, said the murders and hate crimes against the LGBTQI+ community are a great concern. She said these crimes not only include murders, but other forms of harassment, including hate speech and exclusion.
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Same Love Toti advocates for the human rights of sexual and gender minorities and its aim is to empower lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, intersex, queer and gender non-conforming individuals. Zungu was remanded in custody and the trial is ongoing.
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