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SOUTH AFRICA: Brutal Murder of Lesbian Near Johannesburg

NEWSPAPER: Noxolo Nogwaza Funeral on Facebook

Another week and another report of a brutal murder of a lesbian in South Africa. The latest has apparently happened in Daveyton about 21 miles east of Johannesburg, reports South African-based human rights campaigner Melanie Nathan.

The body of Patricia Mashego, 36,  from Daveyton,  was found brutally beaten, near a school  [on April 21]  2013] and  there  are unconfirmed reports that  bricks and stones were found close to the body which may have bee used in  the attack. Cause of death has yet to be released.  It is unknown if she was sexually assaulted. According to sources Pat  Mashego had two children and worked as a sales person. Her funeral and memorial will take place in Daveyton Township on April 27.

The body was discovered the same week that marked the two year anniversary of the death of Noxolo Nogwaza, a young lesbian in South Africa who "was gang raped, stoned and stabbed to death using shards of broken glass." Noxolo’s murder remains unsolved, reports Amnesty International.

Last week an informal inquest was held in a local magistrate’s court. The magistrate agreed that someone was responsible for Noxolo’s death and the case was referred back for further investigation. And so it continues. One young woman tells us that "the police are failing us. That is why we have to continue to be here." ...Amnesty International has sent numerous letters to the authorities in South Africa since May 2012, urging them to ensure that Noxolo’s murder is adequately investigated and that hate crime legislation is implemented.

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.

Brutal so-called "corrective rape" and murder are increasing against lesbians in the townships, as well as rape and attacks against gay men and transgender women. South Africa has the world's highest rates of crime rates and rape. A rape is committed every 17 seconds in the RSA, according to Interpol.

One month after Noxolo's murder, the SA government announced that it would establish a task force to address the escalating incidents of anti-LGBT attacks in its nation. The violence has continued and, so far, there have been sporadic arrests and prosecutions.

Meanwhile: Authorities now believe a gang of brutal robbers and serial killers have targeted gay men around Johannesburg and Cape Town over the past three years. At least nine men have been killed. Police have made several arrests but the attacks have continued.

You May Want to Read:
SOUTH AFRICA: Serial Killers Claim 9th Gay Victim
SAFRICA: Men Arrested After Brutal Murder of Lesbian
Lesbian "Brutally Killed" in KwaZulu-Natal
SAFRICA: Arrest in Murder and Mutilation
SAFRICA: No Arrests After Brutal Murder
SAFRICA: Gay Man Slain in Brutal Attack
ANC Refuses to Strip Gay Rights
SAFRICA: One Arrest in Gay Serial Killings
SAFRICA: More Fears of a Serial Killer, Another Gay Killed
SAFRICA: Police Deny Reports of Serial Killer
RSA: 5 Gay Men Killed, Serial Killer Suspected
SAfrica to Fight Hate Crimes and "Corrective Rape"
Mixed Verdict in Murder Trial of SA Lesbian Footballer
3 Men on Trial for Murder of Lesbian SA Footballer
Black Gay Men in SA Targeted for Rape, Abuse\
SAFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin

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.

You May Want to Read:
SAFRICA: Men Arrested After Brutal Murder of Lesbian
Lesbian "Brutally Killed" in KwaZulu-Natal
SAFRICA: Arrest in Murder and Mutilation
SAFRICA: No Arrests After Brutal Murder
SAFRICA: Gay Man Slain in Brutal Attack
ANC Refuses to Strip Gay Rights
SAFRICA: One Arrest in Gay Serial Killings
SAFRICA: More Fears of a Serial Killer, Another Gay Killed
SAFRICA: Police Deny Reports of Serial Killer
RSA: 5 Gay Men Killed, Serial Killer Suspected
SAfrica to Fight Hate Crimes and "Corrective Rape"
Mixed Verdict in Murder Trial of SA Lesbian Footballer
3 Men on Trial for Murder of Lesbian SA Footballer
Black Gay Men in SA Targeted for Rape, Abuse\
SAFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin

"Mr. Gay Namibia" Suspended After Domestic Violence Charges

The first man to win the "Mr. Gay Namibia" contest has been stripped of his title pending an investigation into domestic violence charges, reports The Namibian via AllAfrica.com.

Wendelinus Hamutenya won the title in November 2011. He later competed in "Mr. Gay World" and became one of the first Black contestants to represent an African nation. If proven true, the domestic violence charges and title suspension would be a disappointing end to a promising career.

Chris de Villiers, one of the organisers, said: “It has come to the attention of the Mr Gay Namibia organisation that Mr Wendelinus Hamutenya , the former title holder of the Mr Gay Namibia 2011 title, is accused of unbecoming conduct. Due to the gravity of the accusations against him the Mr Gay Namibia organisation had no alternative but to suspend him with immediate effect on November 24 2012, pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Hamutenya has a domestic violence case pending against him in Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon enquiry about his suspension, Hamutenya yesterday said: "I’m not sure about that. I just heard rumours." He accused the organisers of wanting to sabotage his projects.

Asked about the allegations of domestic violence, he said: "There was something like that, but it was later withdrawn."

Hamutenya's reign as Mr. Gay Namibia also began with violence.  Hamutenya was robbed and beaten immediately after the contest. Hamutenya says he was assaulted "by two men who [approached] him and requested the money" he won in the contest. The culprits made off with approximately N$200 or $25USD in cash.

Namibia has not passed any laws against gays or lesbians and its constitution forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation," reports South Africa's News 24. "Former president and liberation struggle icon Sam Nujoma during his rule had however spoken our strongly against gays and lesbians."

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. The neighboring Republic of South Africa is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality.

Some Background:
Mr. Gay Namibia Robbed and Assaulted
Zimbabwean Withdraws from Mr. Gay World

SAFRICA: One Arrest, Police Hunt 2nd Suspect in Gay Serial Killings

Excellent news from South Africa, where an apparent serial killer or killers have been targeting gay men around Johannesburg. Only days after a task force was created to investigate the murders of eight gay men across Gauteng Province, an arrest has been made in one of the killings.

One suspect is in custody. Authorities have announced a manhunt for a second man, who is the cousin of the suspect in custody, reports The Star.

The 29-year-old was arrested in Orlando on Friday morning for the murder of Siphiwe Nhlapo, who was found bound and strangled in his Kliptown apartment in September last year. Nhlapo, 36, was one of eight men killed in Gauteng in similar circumstances over the past two years.

According to provincial police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, another man suspected of killing Nhlapo is yet to be arrested. The 29-year-old was due to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the murder. According to a source close to the investigation, the man is said to have confessed to Nhlapo’s killing, as well as other crimes. But it is unclear if the man is in any way related to the other seven deaths over the past two years.

At least eight gay men have been killed during the two year killing spree around Johannesburg. All were discovered bound and strangled 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.

The latest killing was on February 26. Detectives reportedly were reviewing video surveillance footage of the two men last seen with 67-year-old Rulov Senekal.

After previously denying that a serial killer was on the loose, police in Gauteng finally assembled a task force last week to investigate the killings. Gauteng province is the highly urbanized Johannesburg-Pretoria megapolis.

The second suspect vanished from his home in the sprawling Soweto township outside Jo'burg, reports The Star.

The police are calling on the public to help find Nhlanhla Msimango, who they believe may provide vital information on Nhlapo’s murder. While Msimango appears to have vanished from his home in Soweto, his cousin was arrested on Friday last week at his home in Orlando in connection with the murder. Phumlani Msimango was charged with housebreaking and robbery with aggravated circumstances at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Phumlani will be kept in custody until he applies for bail on Monday.

There is also an unconfirmed report that Msimango may have fled to neighboring Zimbabwe. If that is the case, INTERPOL would have to issue the warrant.

South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. SA is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality. Despite these protections, the reality is much different for many Black LGBT 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.

SAFRICA: Police Task Force to Probe Serial Killer Targeting Gay Men

New developments from South Africa, where an apparent serial killer has been targeting gay men. At least eight gay men have been killed during the two year killing spree around Johannesburg. All were discovered bound and strangled with no signs of forced entry. Several victims had online dating profiles. And at least five of the killed gay men were Black.

After previously denying that a serial killer was on the loose, police in South Africa's Gauteng Province have finally assembled a task force to investigate the killings, reports The Star.

The police action was announced on the same day as the gay rights and lifestyle group OUT formed a task team of its own to put pressure on the police to be seen to be acting.

When The Star originally reported on the first four deaths in October last year, police said there was no reason to believe there were any links between the crimes. However, four more deaths were uncovered in the intervening months. They each involved gay men murdered in similar ways: all of them were found bound and murdered in their homes.

[Last week] provincial police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said a task team of top detectives would be investigating the eight murders. He did not confirm whether the cases had been officially linked. This development means that if a suspect is caught in connection with one of the cases, DNA evidence and forensic data can be easily compared to determine if the person is responsible for any of the other crimes. The group of detectives will be investigating all the murders instead of eight officers from eight police stations working on eight different cases.

The latest killing was on February 26. Police are searching for two men last seen with 67-year-old Rulov Senekal. Detectives are repotedly reviewing video surveillance footage.

This is not the first time that detectives had video surveillance of the suspect(s). Detectives lost valuable video surveillance footage of another victim, who was seen with an unknown man shortly before his death.

South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. SA is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality. Despite these protections, the reality is much different for many Black LGBT 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.

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.

You May Want to Read:

SAFRICA: More Fears of a Serial Killer, Another Gay Killed
SAFRICA: Police Deny Reports of Serial Killer
RSA: 5 Gay Men Killed, Serial Killer Suspected
SAfrica to Fight Hate Crimes and "Corrective Rape"
Mixed Verdict in Murder Trial of SA Lesbian Footballer
3 Men on Trial for Murder of Lesbian SA Footballer
Black Gay Men in SA Targeted for Rape, Abuse\
SAFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin

SAFRICA: More Fears of a Serial Killer After Another Gay Man Killed

More fears that a serial killer or killers are stalking gay men around Johannesburg, South Africa. Sixty-seven-year-old Rulov Senekal became the eighth victim in a two-year series of unsolved murders around Jo'burg. All were discovered bound and strangled with no signs of forced entry.  Several victims had online dating profiles.

Police are searching for two men after the latest murder on February 26, report Eyewitness News and The Citizen.

Senekal was found by a neighbour on Sunday afternoon. He was tied-up and had been strangled. [Sergeant Jenny Pillay ]said it was too soon to say with certainty that Senekal was murdered because he was gay. "We are busy with the investigation, but we obviously can't rule out any possibility."

Pillay said Senekal let the two alleged murderers into his flat on Saturday night after he confirmed to security guards that they were legitimate visitors. The men allegedly stole Senekal's laptop, and fled with a black plastic bag 30 minutes later. Police [are] still searching for the two men, and looking at closed-circuit television footage from around the building.

Authorities have previously denied suggestions that a serial killer was targeting gay men around Jo'burg. But the police response so far has not inspired much confidence. Detectives lost valuable video surveillance footage of the last victim, who was seen with an unknown man shortly before his death.

South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. SA is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality. Despite these protections, the reality is much different for many Black LGBT 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.

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.

You May Want to Read:
SAFRICA: Police Deny Reports of Serial Killer
RSA: 5 Gay Men Killed, Serial Killer Suspected
SAfrica to Fight Hate Crimes and "Corrective Rape"
Mixed Verdict in Murder Trial of SA Lesbian Footballer
3 Men on Trial for Murder of Lesbian SA Footballer
Black Gay Men in SA Targeted for Rape, Abuse\
SAFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin

Zimbabwean Withdraws from Mr. Gay World 2012 Contest

Very disappointing. The Mr. Gay World contestant from Zimbabwe has withdrawn from the competition citing "personal reasons." The move comes only days after the contest celebrated having its first Black contestants from African nations—and as Taurai Zhanje endured bitter criticism at home, reports ZimEye.

Taurai Zhanje, who last week was verbally attacked by many from his local community, pulled out of the contest citing personal reasons. ... Zhanje would not elaborate what he meant by ‘personal reasons.’ Zhanje’s intentions had been celebrated by many organisations in the gay community.

Zhanje was to participate in the fourth annual Mr. Gay World competition which will be held April 4-8 in Johannesburg, South Africa . "For the first time in the competition’s short history there will be Black African entrants," noted The Zimbabwean, a diaspora newspaper published in London. "The Black delegates representing Africa are Taurai, Robel Gizaw Hailu from Ethiopia, Wendelinus Hamutenya from Namibia, while South Africa is being represented by Lance Weyer."

"It's a major development. It's the first time that black Africans will participate, which sends out a powerful message of hope to LGBTI people in Africa. A message that there are role models and that one can live as a successful and open LGBTI person," said Coenie Kukkuk, Africa Director for Mr. Gay World. "It's significant that an Ethiopian delegate is participating. The capital city Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union, so it sends a strong political message.”

You may recall that Wendelinus Hamutenya, who won the first Mr. Gay Namibia contest in December, was robbed and beaten after the contest. Hamutenya was assaulted "by two men who [approached] him and requested the money" he won in the contest.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in Zimbabwe, as they are 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. The neighboring Republic of South Africa is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality.

In related news: Zimbabwe's notoriously notoriously anti-gay President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 88th birthday over the weekend with a fresh round of gay-bashing. Mugabe slammed British Prime Minister David Cameron's call to support of gay rights and said "to hell with you."

Some Background:
Mr. Gay Namibia Robbed and Assaulted
ZIM PM Tsvangirai Continues Calling for Gay Rights
ZIM: Tsvangirai Slammed Over Support for Gay Rights
ZIMBABWE: PM Tsvangirai Now Calls for Gay Rights
ZIM Service Chiefs "Demand" Mugabe's Resignation?
Mugabe Denounces "Filthy Gays" of Europe
UN Votes to Condemn Anti-Gay Violence
Zimbabwe: Gay Activist Trial Delayed
Zimbabwe: Gay Activist Acquitted
Mugabe Apologizes to Dogs for Gay Comparison
Zimbabwe Vows to Outlaw Homosexuality in Constitution

Mr. Gay Namibia Robbed, Assaulted After Winning Pageant Title

A tragic footnote to the first ever Mr. Gay Namibia contest recently held in the southern African nation. The winner of the title was robbed and beaten after the contest, reports Independent Online.

According to the organisers of the Mr Gay Namibia contest, held at the end of last month, Wendelinus Hamutenya was assaulted in Windhoek on Sunday evening by two men who beat him as he returned home. "He has laid a charge of assault against his attackers. The men approached him and requested "the money he won at the Mr Gay competition", Joe Gerstmayr, managing director of Mr Gay Namibia said in a separate statement Thursday.

After a short confrontation, one of the attackers kicked Hamutenya to the ground, while the other grabbed his mobile phone and wallet. They beat him with a bottle on his head, face and ribs, "which saw him hospitalised for observation at a Windhoek private clinic for 24 hours," according to Gerstmayr.

Hamuntenya says in a statement:

"Violence in various forms occurs to persons from different walks of life in our country. The relevance of this incident may have connotation to my title, perhaps they thought I had heaps of 'prize money' in my pockets. Likely it was my sexual orientation that made me a target - even my political support that angered them. Or perhaps, and most likely, it was just plain and simply out of greed."

"The culprits made off with approximately N$200" or $25USD in cash, adds Queerlife SA.

Hamutenya is scheduled to compete in the Mr Gay World 2012 contest Johannesburg in April 2012.

Namibia has not passed any laws against gays or lesbians and its constitution forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation," reports South Africa's News 24. "Former president and liberation struggle icon Sam Nujoma during his rule had however spoken our strongly against gays and lesbians."

SAFRICA: Police Deny Reports of Serial Killer Targeting Gay Men

Police in Johannesburg, South Africa have denied reports that a serial killer is targeting gay men.

At least five gay men have been killed over the last 18 months in cases that bear striking similarities, reported The Star. All of the victims were found bound and strangled "with police recording no signs of forced entry." Several victims had online dating profiles, giving rise to speculation that they were targeted via cyberspace.

There is no serial killer, police tell News24.

"We are not looking at one specific person... cases are being investigated individually and progress has been made in some," Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said on Tuesday. He said it was impossible for one individual to have been responsible for all the killings.

"A man was already on trial in the South Gauteng High Court for one of the killings, while two Zimbabwean men were being extradited for another murder. Police had leads for suspects in other killings too," Dlamini said.

Let's hope that true. The police response so far has not inspired much confidence. Detectives in Johannesburg lost valuable video surveillance footage of the latest victim seen with an unknown man shortly before his death.

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 South Africa's 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.

You May Want to Read:
SAFRICA: 5 Gay Men Killed, Serial Killer Suspected
4 Men Convicted of Brutal Murder of Lesbian Activist
SAfrica to Fight Hate Crimes and "Corrective Rape"
Mixed Verdict in Murder Trial of SA Lesbian Footballer
3 Men on Trial for Murder of Lesbian SA Footballer
Black Gay Men in SA Targeted for Rape, Abuse\
SAFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin

SAFRICA: 5 Gay Men Killed, Serial Killer Suspected, Police Criticized

The South African Commission for Gender Equality has 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, reports The Star.

All of the victims, discovered in the past 10 months, were found tied up and strangled inside private homes within the greater Joburg area – with police recording no signs of forced entry. Police working on all four cases believe the minimal theft means robbery was not a motive. It is believed the lack of break-ins may mean the victims knew their would-be killers and could actually have invited them in.

[Three] murders bear striking similarities. In the first attack in December 2010, Jim Cathels was found at his home in Berea. He had been strangled and bound, and there were no signs of forced entry. Four months ago, Oscar O’Hara, 33, had been house-sitting in Kensington for friend and author Ivan Vladislavic. He was bound and strangled by an unknown assailant or assailants. His body was discovered a few days later, when the author returned home from the UK.

Siphiwe Selby Nhlapo, 36, was killed in a similar manner at his flat in Kliptown, Soweto, on September 11, a week before Van Heerden’s death. One element set his murder apart: his killer(s) poured acid on the body after his death from asphyxiation.

Since this news last week, reports of a previous murder have surfaced, reports The Star. The body of Manolis Veloudos was discovered bound and bludgeoned last April. "He was also discovered to have an online dating site profile, which he had used to meet men, much like in the cases of several of the other victims."

The victim's niece says video surveillance of her uncle "and an unknown man on the night of the murder was given to the police, but it was subsequently lost by the investigating officers."

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 South Africa's 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.

You May Want to Read:
SAfrica to Fight Hate Crimes and "Corrective Rape"
Mixed Verdict in Murder Trial of SA Lesbian Footballer
3 Men on Trial for Murder of Lesbian SA Footballer
Black Gay Men in SA Targeted for Rape, Abuse\
SAFRICA: Murdered Lesbian's Body Discovered in Trash Bin