Burnt lesbian murder victim: More pain for Nonkie’s family as suspects released
Nonkie Smous
The LGBTI community in Kroonstad is said to be living in fear after being allegedly threatened by one of the suspects in the murder of Nonkie Smous.
Last week, a burnt out body, presumed to be the 28-year-old openly lesbian woman, was found in the township of Maokeng. The victim was burned beyond recognition.
According to activists on the ground, three men have been arrested in connection with the murder, with two subsequently released. It is believed that one man remains in custody.
Shockingly, it appears that he has only been charged with robbery after being found in possession of items belonging to Smous.
Mambaonline has as yet been unable to communicate with the authorities in the area and officially verify these reports.
Local LGBTI activist Nthabiseng Mokanyane, who is also a relative of Smous, told Mambaonline that one of the released suspects had allegedly threatened a member of the community. “He said that they are going to kill all the lesbians and take off their heads,” she said.
Mokanyane also claims that there have been other incidents of intimidation of activists by some members of the community. “We are doing a lot of activities in the location, we are going to the courts, and we are wearing t-shirts that say ‘rest in peace Smous’. So when they see [the activists], they bully them around. We are going to report all these incidents to the police,” she said.
Meanwhile, Smous’ family members remain in limbo pending DNA confirmation that the body is indeed that of their relative. “I spoke to her grandmother,” said Mokanyane. “They don’t know anything. It’s hurting them that they cannot bury her. They are just waiting and waiting.”
Mokanyane has submitted an application for a protest march on 19 April. “We are urging the police to investigate Smous’ murder. We are urging them to listen to the cries of the LGBTI and to take to heart our issues.”
On Tuesday, a memorial service was held for Smous at the Constantia Hall in Maokeng. According to Thabiso Mogapi wa Tsotetsi, Chairperson of Action For Social Justice International, the venue was packed with activists and members of the community who came out to commemorate her life.
“We all just want her to rest and to be respected,” said Mokanyane. “We also want [her killers] off the street because we don’t know who will be next.”
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I’m a lesbian from KwaZulu-Natal doing my Masters in criminology and my research topic focuses on hate crimes experienced by homosexual minorities (will be conducted in Durban). My research is not just for me to get my Masters degree but because I want to do anything and give anything to make our voices as homosexuals to be heard. There are numerous laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, and so on, but these crimes still linger. Nothing in the world hurts me more than hearing that one of us has been rape and murdered. I myself am a victim of assault and a survivor of rape as well as the victim of exclusion based on my sexuality. It pains me to see that the criminal justice system is not doing much to protect the rights of homosexuals, there are many unlawful things done to us by people in our societies and those that are in power to victimise us. I get the fact that we do prides every year, and “say no to homophobia” but that is not enough, I want to be part of everything and will do just about anything to fight for our rights. I’m in pain, it’s not the first time I am here to read Mambaonline news, and every time I read these stories I fear that we are not doing anything, we are not included in matters that affect us. I am tired, my soul is tired, my mind is tired of homophobic attacks and violence. May all LGBTI souls that have passed rest in peace, and may the LGBTI organisations include us if we want to be part of anything. Thank you.
So true Smangele ,as a rape survivor myself and also being openly lesbian I wish there was so much more I could do rather than tell my story. If there are organisations in place I would love to be part of them ,be included as I have walked this journey and have come out triumphant ,sadly ,there are those who walk around with these secrets buried deep in memory as a result they die emotionally,these scars are forever we should not hide them but use them as a victory mark because we are nolonger victims we are survivors and we should hold a flag for those who were not so lucky…im also in KZN we are not alone I am sure