Gender rights activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community have expressed outrage at a suspected homophobic attack after the murder of Liyabona Mabishi on Human Rights Day.
The 16-year-old, from Nkanini in Stellenbosch, was stabbed to death on Saturday while walking home with a friend, who escaped death with a stab wound to the head.
Free Gender chairperson Funeka Soldaat said the incident was a suspected homophobic attack as Liyabona was apparently targeted for being openly lesbian.
“The friend who knows what really happened is still in hospital and very traumatised.
“However, we were informed that Liyabona bumped a man by mistake and (when) she apologised, they were attacked. We are angry that things like this still happen.
“We don’t care what they could’ve said leading to the incident; the (perpetrator) had no right to brutally attack the children. It’s a pity no one has come forth to reveal the man’s identity,” said Soldaat.
“We urge all lesbians, especially butch lesbians, to be vigilant,” the organisation said in a statement.
Police did not respond to questions by deadline.
Cape Times