Members of the gay and lesbian community throughout KwaZulu-Natal, in conjunction with ANC Women’s and ANC Youth leagues, will picket outside the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Thursday in support of a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by a local leader of the Lesbian, Gays, bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community.
According to the KZN LGBTQIA community chairperson Hlengiwe Buthelezi, the 30-year-old perpetrator, who could not be named since she is yet to plead in court, is currently in custody after she was arrested at the weekend.
Buthelezi said all the members of the community, together with the ANCWL and ANCYL, will picket outside the court to oppose the bail for the perpetrator. The woman is the biological sister of the victim’s mother and lived together in Umzimkhulu, south of the province.
“We strongly condemn what she allegedly did to the young girl. Although she is our member, we will be in court in support of the victim and her family, not her,” said Buthelezi.
She said after the picket, she will convene all regional leaders of LGBTQIA to discuss the matter and see what action should be taken against her pending the outcome of the court proceedings.
According to the gender activist in the Harry Gwala region, Nomusa Phungula, the victim allegedly told her that the abuse started in 2022, and she was scared to report it because she feared the perpetrator.
In a statement Phungula issued, she said as gender activists, they were all appalled by the allegations against the senior member of the LGBTQIA.
“It has come to our attention that a member of the LGBTQIA community has been arrested in Umzimkhulu following allegations of raping a 12-year-old since 2022. Rape is a heinous and unacceptable act that violates a person’s physical and emotional well-being leaving scars that can last a lifetime.
“As activists, members of the LGBTQIA community and allies, we therefore unequivocally condemn this act of cruelty and distance ourselves from such behaviour. We stand by the victim and will ensure that she gets all the support she needs; understanding the trauma and pain caused by the perpetrator. Justice must be served,” said Phungula.
Furthermore, she called on all the ordinary communities to join them in their picket outside the court in support of the victim.
The incident was also condemned by both the ANCWL and ANCYL, which also stated support for the victim.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za
