lesbian murders on the rise

By Lesego Masike (BTM Reporter) and Thobeka Khoza (BTM Correspondent)

August 13, 2007: Meanwhile whistle-blowing by the Meadowlands community in Soweto, South Africa, led to the detention of four men linked to the murders of Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa, the Ladysmith police in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province are hunting for alleged murderers of yet another lesbian woman.

 Believed to be linked to hate crime, naked body of Thokozani Qwabe (23) was found by outside E Section Community Hall at Ezakheni on 22 July in an isolated field.

She had wounds to the head and stab wounds in her body.

According to Tile Qwabe, sister of the deceased, Thokozane left home at three in the afternoon on Saturday of 21 July for Moloi’s Tavern in the same area in the company of a neighbour, Sbusiso Mbatha.

Mbatha said they were approached by three gun wielding men in the midnight but he escaped while Thokozane was intercepted.

While it’s still unknown of what happened afterwards, Mbatha was arrested for interrogation 22 July and was later released due to lack of evidence. “Being in a company of the person when last seen is not proof that the suspect killed the victim,” explained Captain Ursula Cronje of Ezakheni Police Station.

DNA samples were taken from Thokozane’s body and the suspect’s, and taken to the South African Police Services (SAPS) Forensic laboratory for comparison.

Thokozane was buried on 28 July at her home in Ladysmith.

The growing number of murders of the gay community in South Africa has prompted many gay organisations to take action and put pressure to government and communities in general to condemn such murders.