KZN lesbian murdered after she rejects man’s advances
18.03.2022 - 17:15
/ mambaonline.com
Pinky Shongwe had her life cut short in a suspected hate crime because of who she loved
Pinky Shongwe, a 32-year old lesbian woman, has been brutally stabbed to death, reportedly because she simply rejected a man’s romantic advances.
According to SABC News, on 13 March, police received reports of a body lying along a path in Umlazi H-section, just outside of Durban .
“Upon arrival at the said place, police found the body of a woman with an open wound and other injuries on her eye and she was declared dead on the scene,” said KwaZulu-Natal Police Spokesperson Nqobile Gwala.
Shongwe’s sister, Nombuso, told the SABC that her sibling had gone to a nearby shop with friends and on her return, she was approached by a man who professed his love for her. It’s alleged that when she told the man that she dated women, he stabbed her to death in a rage.
“Pinky was a very quiet person and respected people, I wish the person who killed her be found. We want justice as the family, everyone has a right to life and live the life they want and have a right not to hide their sexual preference, Pinky was openly gay,” said Nombuso.
The slain woman was described as a sports lover who played for the Ugu District Municipality soccer team. The suspect in her murder remains unknown and he has yet to be arrested.
Hlengiwe Buthelezi, Director of the KwaZulu-Natal LGBT Recreation organisation, told Mamba that she was devastated by another murder of a queer individual.
“These incidents are not ending. I am very very shocked, sadness is an understatement. I’d thought by now we wouldn’t be hearing such terrible news,” said Buthelezi.
She believes that not enough is being done to stem the tide of LGBTIQ killings. “Honestly, law enforcement must step up.