GAY MURDER SUSPECT TO PLEAD GUILTY TO HOUSEBREAKING

A man allegedly involved in one of the eight high profile murders of gay men in Gauteng will plead guilty to housebreaking, reports The Star.

On Wednesday, Phumlani Msimango appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Siphiwe Nhlapo in September last year.

He did not apply for bail and, according to the newspaper, will plead guilty to breaking into Nhlapo’s flat, which led to the murder.

He has claimed that his cousin, Nhlanhla Msimango, who broke into the house with him is responsible for the actual murder.

Nhlanhla Msimango, however, has disappeared and remains at large.

The Star also revealed that police have firm suspects in four of the eight gay murder cases and these are being investigated by their respective investigating officers.

The other four cases are being handled by a police task team investigating the spate of attacks and any possible links between the cases.

Since April 2010 at least eight gay men have been murdered in Gauteng under similar circumstance. All the victims were gay, they were murdered in private homes, little or nothing was stolen, there was no sign of forced entry, and most of them were strangled.

Anyone who has any information about Nhlanhla Msimango’s whereabouts has been asked to contact Captain Happy Vilankulu on 082 719 8373.

If you have any information regarding the murders and their link to internet dating profiles, please contact Shain Germaner on shain.germaner@inl.co.za at The Star.