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SOUTH AFRICA: Man Arrested After Serial Killers Claim 9th Gay Victim

Police in South Africa have arrested a man in connection with the brutal April 15 murder of a gay professor at the University of Johannesburg, reports SA's Eyewitness News. Authorities suspect this may be the ninth victim claimed by a  gang of serial killers who have targeted gay men around Johannesburg and Cape Town over the past three years.

Professor Carl Mischke was found murdered in his Norwood home in northern Johannesburg on Monday morning. Officials said the suspect was apprehended in Kempton Park on Gauteng’s East Rand. According to police, the 29-year-old suspect was found in possession of Mischke's clothing.

Police told Eyewitness News they were probing the links between Mischke’s death and the murders of eight other gay men. Police spokesperson Neville Malila said the suspect was in custody at the Norwood police station. He said they were still looking for one more suspect.

All of the victims were discovered bound, strangled or stabbed with no signs of forced entry. Most victims had online dating profiles. And at least five of the killed gay men were Black, according to photos published in The Star. After previously denying that a serial killer was on the loose, authorities disclosed in November 2012 that "four of the victims appeared to have been murdered by the same person."

Mischke lived several blocks away from another victim, Barney van Heerden, who was killed in September 2011. Police made three arrests in November 2011 and a September 30 trial date was announced this week, reports Melanie Nathan at O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da. Another suspect connected to the September 2011 murder of Siphiwe Nhlapo was arrested in March 2012.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. SA is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality and gay adoption.

Despite these protections, the reality is much different for many Black LGBT South Africans.  Life in the impoverished townships is far less tolerant. Lesbians, gay men and transgender men and women are often targeted by violent attacks. There are reports of an escalation in violence and so-called "corrective rape" targeting lesbians, reports NPR.

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SAFRICA: 4 Men Sentenced to 18 Years for Killing Lesbian

There is an excellent update to a case that R20 has followed in South Africa. Four men have been sentenced for the brutal February 2006 murder of 19-year lesbian activist Zoliswa Nkonyana in Cape Town. Nkonyana was beaten, kicked, stabbed and stoned to death by a gang of youth in a township.

The four men were convicted of murder in October. This week each defendant was sentenced to 18 years in prison, reports BBC. The harsh sentences have established a precedent and cast a spotlight on South Africa's culture of homophobic crimes.

The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the sentence handed out in the Nkonyana case is highly significant - both because of its length and the fact that the magistrate concluded that Ms Nkonyana was killed for being a lesbian.

For years activists have been calling on the state to be tougher on people who kill or attack people because of their sexual orientation - and they want the state to recognise hate crimes against lesbians, she says. [...] The magistrate said it was clear the motive for the killing was hatred and homophobia - and Wednesday's sentence was meant to send out a signal that violence based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated, the South African Press Association reports.

Nine men originally were arrested for the murder. Three were acquitted and two were released due to lack of evidence.

Despite being the only African nation where same-sex marriage is legal—and boasting  the world's only constitution where equality in sexual orientation is specified—the reality is much different for many Black LGBT South Africans.  Life in the impoverished townships is far less tolerant.

South Africa boasts the world's highest rates of crime rates and rape. Brutal so-called "corrective rape" and murder are increasing against lesbians in the townships, as well as rape and attacks against gay men. Police are often criticized for ignoring the attacks or poor detective work. In May 2011, the RSA government announced that it would establish a task force to address the escalating incidents of anti-LGBT attacks in its nation.

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VIDEO: South African Documentary on African LGBT Refugees

The South African Broadcasting Corporation has produced a heartbreaking report on the status of gay Africans who  seek asylum in the RSA.

Watch the report WHEN YOU JUMP ...

Being gay is a crime in at least 32 of the 54 countries in Africa. Three of the nations—Mauritania, Nigeria and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa is the only African nation where same-sex marriage is legal and boasts the continent's only protections of LGBTs. Many LGBT Africans have fled their homelands for South Africa and asylum ... but they often unexpected prejudice, violence and harassment.

The report opens with the story of Junior Mayema, who fled his native Democratic Republic of the Congo for Cape Town. "My mother tried to inject me with a syringe full of gasoline when she discovered that I was gay," says Junior. Junior's relatives in SA have shunned him and he cannot afford to bribe guards at the immigration center.

Watch the report WHEN YOU JUMP ...

SOUTH AFRICA: 4 Men Convicted of Brutal Murder of Lesbian Activist

There is an update to a case that R20 has followed in South Africa. Four men have been convicted of the brutal February 2006 murder of 19-year lesbian activist Zoliswa Nkonyana in Cape Town, reports The Sowetan. Nkonyana was beaten, kicked and stoned to death by a gang of youth in a township.

The case had provoked outrage among activists because it was postponed more than 50 times. About 20 youths were arrested on the day of the murder but many have since been released because of a lack of evidence against them. Ntlabathi, Mase, Lonzi and Dama were found guilty of murdering Nkonyana. But Dlephu, Yekiso and Kulani were acquitted of murder due to a lack of evidence.

Two of the nine men accused of the murder were also released last month due to lack of evidence. Human rights and LGBT activists are pleased with the convictions, but say police incompetence prevented more convictions, reports the Cape Times.

Four of the men, with five others from unrelated cases, escaped from the court’s holding cells in September last year, but were later rearrested. A police officer was arrested on allegations of assisting with the escape.

Funeka Soldaat, founder of Free Gender, was pleased that the magistrate had mentioned in her judgment that the men had killed Zoliswa because she was a lesbian. "It is really a big victory for us. The case has a big impact, not only in the gay community, but the community at large." Soldaat said Free Gender and other concerned organisations would ask that the four men be given the maximum sentence.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 27.

The conviction comes at the same time activists have criticized police for failing to properly investigate the deaths of at least five gay men around Johannesburg. A serial killer is suspected and police have lost CCTV footage of the suspect.

Despite being the only African nation where same-sex marriage is legal—and boasting  the world's only constitution where equality in sexual orientation is specified—the reality is much different for many Black South Africans.  Life in the impoverished townships is far less tolerant.

South Africa boasts the world's highest rates of crime rates and rape. Brutal so-called "corrective rape" and murder are increasing against lesbians in the townships, as well as rape and attacks against gay men. Police are often criticized for ignoring the attacks or poor detective work. In May 2011, the RSA government announced that it would establish a task force to address the escalating incidents of anti-LGBT attacks in its nation.

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RSA: 5 Gay Men Killed, Serial Killer Suspected
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SAFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin

SOUTH AFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin

A tip has led police to the decomposing body of Nontsikelelo Tyatyeka, a South African lesbian who went missing last September, discovered near her family home in Nyanga Township, Cape Town.

The suspect lives behind his victim’s home and repeatedly asked the victim’s family "whether the missing daughter had been found", reports the Independent Online.

The family’s anxious wait came to an end on Friday when a tip-off led cops to a grisly discovery. Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk says: “The decomposed body of a 21-year-old woman was found in a rubbish bin at Qumbu Street, Mau-Mau, Nyanga on Friday. A murder case docket was opened. A 29-year-old male suspect was arrested and will appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on a charge of murder."

The victim’s mom Nombasa Tyatyeka, 50, says her daughter was found after a friend of the suspect let slip that he knew where her body was. “In August, my nephew was listening to a song written for Ntsiki’s return and when this man heard it he told my nephew the suspect tried to sleep with her and when she refused because she’s a tomboy, he stabbed her,” says Nombasa.

Last week Friday, the police followed the lead and found Nontsikelelo’s decomposed body in a wheelie bin metres from her home.

Despite being the only African nation where same-sex marriage is legal—and boasting  the world's only constitution where equality in sexual orientation is specified—the reality is much different for many Black South Africans. Life in the impoverished townships is far less tolerant. Brutal so-called "corrective rape" and murder are increasing against lesbians in South Africa's townships, as well as rape and attacks against gay men.

This is not the first time a lesbian has been attacked in Nyanga: In  mid-June, 23-year-old Nxolo Nkosana  was repeatedly stabbed but luckily survived.

In other news: Two of the nine men accused of the 2006 murder of 19-year lesbian Zoliswa Nkonyana in Cape Town have been released. Nkonyana was "stabbed and stoned to death." A judge "cited a lack of evidence" and withdrew muder charges against the two men, as well as the attempted murder charges against all the defendants for the attacks on Nkonyana's friends, reports Times Live.

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SAfrica to Fight Hate Crimes and "Corrective Rape"
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REPORT: Anti-Gay Attacks Rise in Africa, Christian Evangelism Blamed

State-sponsored anti-gay terror and extremism is soaring across Africa, much of it fueled by fundamentalism and Christian evangelism, finds a new report by Human Rights Watch. "The overall trend appears to be a hardening of legislation against lesbians, gay men, transgender people and bisexuals. Their lifestyles are already, in different ways, listed as criminal in 37 countries [in Africa]," adds The Guardian.

In addition to Uganda's extreme Anti Homosexuality Bill, which would execute those convicted of "aggravated homosexuality", a new report by Human Rights Watch documents many of the anecdotal stories covered by R20 recently:

The prime ministers of Zimbabwe and Kenya, where moves to table new constitutions have dominated the political scene this year, have seen fit to denounce homosexuality as part of their attempts to position themselves favourably with socially conservative groups.

In Senegal, a 95-page report published by Human Rights Watch last month includes interviews with dozens of people who have faced violence and threats at the hands of police and others. HRW decided to carry out the survey after a 2008 "outing'' campaign by gossip magazine Icone. Gay men's graves have been desecrated and in December 2008 nine gay Aids activists were jailed for eight years, though they were later released.

HRW refers to Senegalese homophobia as "institutionalised'', pointing out that the Muslim country's law criminalising consensual same-sex relationships invites abuse against non-heterosexuals and jars with the country's constitution.

South Africa, where the end of apartheid in 1994 led to the creation of a constitution that recognises same-sex partnerships and condemns discrimination, seems to be backtracking on gay rights. A number of homophobic attacks have made headlines, including the township practice of "corrective'' gang rape of lesbians. The evangelical Family Policy Institute is currently running a vociferous campaign against the city of Cape Town for promoting itself as a gay-friendly holiday destination.

One week ago, the United Nations voted to restore a reference to sexual orientation dropped last month from a resolution opposing the unjustified killing of minority groups. The removal was at the urging of African and Arab countries last month.

Adds Monica Mbaru, Africa coordinator for the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in Cape Town: "It has never been harder for gays and lesbians on the continent."

Read the full report published by Human Rights Watch ...

Cape Town Police Raid Gay Brothel, Some Males Sex Slaves in Chains

Cape Town police have raided a gay brothel that advertised "African sex" with men in chains and some were believed to be sex slaves. The exclusive "gentleman's lounge" on Loader Street in the historic De Waterkant village—the block is seen here on a screen capture from a webcam—targeted the gay community in the United Kingdom through Gaydar, reports Cape Argus.

The site offers a variety of "boys and toys" and "studs from all over Africa". One picture shows a bare-chested man with a thick chain hanging from his neck down his body.  Prices range from R500 per hour to R2 500 for overnight. "We are situated in Loader Street near Manhattans. Come have African sex and fun with us," it says. A local website, which has since been suspended, offered dark rooms, escort services and "naked days" from Thursdays till Sundays.

[P]olice had raided three times, most recently on Tuesday, and had found illegal substances. [CID Mark Truss] said the single garage had been converted to accommodate a number of cubicles and there was also a large jacuzzi inside. Truss alleged some of the doors were locked and had no handles, which was a fire and safety hazard.  "We're not anti-gay but we can't have a business operating in a residential area," he said. "We believe they are supposed to have stopped operating but the village feedback is that there are still guys going in and out."

Police say the current tenant, Charles Okoye from Nigeria, has leased the home for about two months. Residents say Okoye began renovating the house soon after moving in. Neighbors also report many young men, some in their teens, coming and going at all hours. 

Okoye's attorney tells the police his client is moving. So far, there have been no arrests or charges.

700+ Posters for Gay South African Film Festival Removed by Vandals

More than 700 posters for the Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Cape Town, South Africa were "systematically" removed from lamp posts and buildings over a two-day period.

"Launched in 1994 to celebrate the constitution prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the festival is on at the Nu Metro V&A waterfront until Sunday. Out in Africa South African Gay and Lesbian Film Festival director Nodi Murphy suspects the 'two-day systematic removal of the 700 posters' had been carried out by fundamentalist religious or right-wing groups. Murphy said she hoped to see the vandals 'in the court of law, with them doing community service at a gay and lesbian project'. She said the organisers had been advised to lodge a complaint so that they could receive permission to view CCTV footage of where many of the posters had been. The office of the executive mayor of Cape Town approved and paid R32 000 for the posters, Murphy said: 'It’s their money that’s been wasted and I can’t imagine them being too happy. I’ll be in their office tomorrow discussing the matter.' She believed the festival had helped to promote tolerance. 'I kept thinking that there was an end to my work and that people have come to tolerate gays and lesbians. I don’t know why there has been this upsurge (in homophobia) all of a sudden. I think it’s because we’re an easy target. When there’s fear in the world its easier to go after a minority group.'"

The posters were created by local artists Toby Attwell and Quinton Bruton. Murphy said the posters were one of the few means the festival could advertise and there had been many messages praising the design.

The Independent Online reports Murphy lodged a complaint and asked Metro Police to view CCTV surveillance footage. She received only a single fax message: "No footage available."