Mzoxolo Budaza
TWO of the nine men accused of murdering a lesbian were released yesterday after the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court found that there was not enough evidence against them, in a case that has been running for five years.
The pair, Anele Gwele and Zolile Kobese, had appeared with Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Sabelo Yekiso, Sicelo Mize, Luyanda Londzi, Themba Dlepu, Mfundo Kulani and Mbulelo Damba on charges of stabbing and stoning Zoliswa Nkonyana in February 2006.
The case sparked a public outcry over repeated delays. Activists from the Social Justice Coalition, Treatment Action Campaign, Free Gender, Triangle Project and Sonke Gender Justice regularly protested outside court.
Of the remaining seven accused, Londzi was the only one who testified under oath yesterday. He testified that on the night of the incident he, together with his co-accused, except Gwele, went to a tavern called Phelo’s to enjoy themselves.
He said that he left the tavern with two other friends after he had found out that his co-accused had left him behind.
“On our way back, we saw a person lying on the pavement and I went to check who it was,” he said.
Londzi said he did not know the person, but had seen her at the tavern earlier that night.
Prosecutor Anthea Alchin told him that Nkonyana was attacked because she had had a fight with Damba’s girlfriend.
Londzi was also asked to explain the blood spots found on his takkies. He said maybe they had got there when he went to check the body. Alchin asked whether he followed the Xhosa culture. He said he did.
“How would you feel if your own sister was in a relationship with another female?” Alchin asked. “If she’s satisfied, I will not have a problem, I’ll be happy, too,” Londzi replied. Alchin then put it to Londzi that he and his co-accused attacked Nkonyana because they thought she was going to take their girlfriends.
“I put it to you that your version is unreasonable and improbable because you were part of the group that attacked Zoliswa,” she said.
Alchin told Londzi that he had an “I don’t care attitude” after he cracked a smile during cross-examination. The case continues tomorrow. – Independent Cadet New Agency