The body of Anele Bhengu was discovered on Sunday 13 June 2021 in a ditch near a school in the KwaMakhutha community, south of Durban. Community members and family argued that she was killed because she was a lesbian.
The murder of Anele Bhengu
According to EWN, Bhengu was found dead with multiple stab wounds on her stomach and body. Her family suspects she was raped before being killed.
In response to this tragedy, hundreds of KwaMakhutha youngsters took the time to protest for justice in Bhengu’s murder on Youth Day.
Hate crime towards the LGBTQI in townships
According to IOL, “black members of this community are twice as likely (49%) than white members (26%), to know of someone who was murdered “for being suspected of being” lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”
This is because black queer people do not receive as much support from community groups such as churches, schools or any other groups. Over the many cases against the LGBTQI community, police are not very hands-on in the issue of helping and protecting them.
Does SA have an anti-LGBTQI+ epidemic?
A lot of the times with queer murders, there is a lot of speculation of a rape occurring before they are killed. This is because the rapist/murderer has the mentality to “teach you a lesson” as though sexuality is a choice or something that needs ‘fixing’.
Every year, there are protests of people seeking justice for their queer family members, friends, themselves or just in support of others and yet their voices fall flat. Cases like that of Bhengu may get noticed because of the noise, but this is not the case for past victims and others to come.