Transgender Woman in Brutal Hate Crime Attack in Tshwane Tavern

A 23-year-old transgender woman from Tshwane, South Africa has spoken out after surviving a violent, unprovoked hate crime attack that has left her with both physical and emotional scars.

Aobakwe Mahlobo, a make-up artist originally from Soshanguve and now living in Winterveld, was assaulted at a local tavern on 26 December 2024. The incident occurred at around 1:30 am while she was seated and socialising.

Describing the attack to MambaOnline, Mahlobo said a man sitting nearby began making hateful comments about gay and lesbian people. “I didn’t know him,” she explained. “Then he said how much he hates them and that ‘they don’t deserve to live.’”

The situation escalated when the man suddenly smashed a bottle into Mahlobo’s face as she was lighting a cigarette. “There was blood everywhere, and he said to me, ‘I told you I’m gonna kill you,’” she recalled.

Despite her injuries, Mahlobo fought back, prompting her attacker to flee. She was rushed to Kgabo Clinic by a friend for emergency treatment.

Serious Injuries and Emotional Trauma

Photos seen by MambaOnline show the horrific extent of Mahlobo’s facial injuries, images we have chosen not to publish. She suffered deep cuts to her mouth, lips, nose, cheek, and forehead.

“My mouth was cut into pieces. My upper lip had to be stitched. I also had stitches in my lower lip on the left side, including the nose, left cheek, and on my forehead,” she said.

Following the attack, Mahlobo opened a case of assault at Dube Police Station. However, she says no progress has been made in the investigation.

The trauma of the incident has gone beyond the physical and left her afraid to openly express her gender identity.

“I’m emotionally damaged and drained,” Mahlobo admitted. “It’s made me feel not comfortable being the person that I am, especially in public.”

Anti-LGBTIQ+ Hate Crimes

A defiant Mahlobo said she wanted to speak out about her ordeal to highlight the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by transgender and LGBTIQ+ individuals, despite the country’s progressive constitutional protections.

In 2024, at least four transgender women were killed in South Africa in circumstances thought to be hate crimes. These were Jo-Ann Isaks, 27 (Upington), Karabelo Pudumo, 18 (Kimberley), Thabang Mmelusi Maboela, age unknown (Johannesburg), and Clemmy Hadebe, 22 (Johannesburg)

These are in addition to 10 other reported murders of LGBTIQ+ individuals in the country last year. The number is likely to be higher as many cases do not make headlines and incidents of non lethal violence may go unreported.

In May 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill into law although it remains unclear when its provisions will be comprehensively implemented by the criminal justice system.

If you or someone you know has been affected by an LGBTIQ+ hate crime, contact OUT LGBT Well-being at report@out.org.za for assistance and support.