Murder of Lesbian Couple in KZN Highlights Persistent LGBTIQ+ Hate Crimes

A young lesbian couple were brutally murdered in KwaZulu-Natal, allegedly by the former male partner of one of the victims.

According to media reports, on 27 August, Nombulelo Bhixa, 28, and Minenhle Ngcobo, 22, were approached by Ngcobo’s ex-boyfriend in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg. An argument ensued, during which the man allegedly shot both women in the head.

“All I know is that they were very much in love with each other. We are shocked and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” said Bhixa’s close friend, Bongekile Mkhize, speaking to The Witness.

Newzroom Africa suggested that the motive behind the murder was the ex-boyfriend’s inability to accept that the mother of his child was romantically involved with a woman.

It is believed that the man, with whom Ngcobo shared a child, had been harassing the couple for some time. Ngcobo had previously filed a protection order against the suspect following reports of violence in their relationship.

In a statement, the Pietermaritzburg-based Uthingo Network condemned the murder as a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the deep-seated homophobia and violence that continue to plague South African society.

“This heinous act, motivated by hatred and prejudice, is not just an attack on two individuals but a brutal assault on the principles of equality, dignity, and human rights that our South African democracy stands for,” said Brian Sibeko-Ngidi, Director of the Uthingo Network.

The organisation highlighted that hate crimes against the LGBTIQ+ community, particularly in rural areas, are often underreported and inadequately addressed.

“The systemic marginalisation of LGBTIQ+ individuals, compounded by a lack of awareness and understanding in rural communities, creates an environment where such atrocities can occur with alarming frequency,” added Sibeko-Ngidi.

The murder of Nombulelo Bhixa and Minenhle Ngcobo marks the third known deadly incident affecting South Africa’s LGBTIQ+ community in the past month.

On 9 August, 22-year-old transgender woman Clement Hadebe was shot in Johannesburg by an unknown assailant while walking home in the early hours of the morning. On 18 August, 32-year-old Xolani Xaka was repeatedly stabbed to death by a group of men at the gate of his home in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape.

Sibeko-Ngidi called on the government to prioritise enforcing hate crime legislation and ensuring that police are equipped to handle these cases with the seriousness they demand.

He further emphasised the urgent need for community-based education and awareness programmes that engage traditional leaders, religious institutions, and community organisations to challenge the prejudices fuelling such violence.