By Mziwandile Nkosi
In 2007 bodies were found dumped in the veld. They had both been shot.
But still today the families of lesbians Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Maoosa are no closer to finding their children's killers.
Instead they spent the day taking part in the 07-07-07 Campaign march to end hate, which was organised in commemoration of the deaths.
Sigasa and Maoosa were allegedly raped and then shot dead before their bodies were dumped in Zone 1 Meadowlands, Soweto.
To date police have not arrested anyone for the murders, prompting Monday's march, which formed part of the organisation's campaign against the slowness of the police in investigating crimes committed against gays and lesbians in South Africa.
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The year-long investigation into the deaths of the two women suffered a blow when the main suspect allegedly shot himself before the police could take him in for questioning.
Meadowlands police Director Vuyokazi Ndebele said an inquest docket had been opened into the man's death.
He added that they were were awaiting DNA results which could possibly link the man to the murders.
"This has been a year of horror for us, knowing that a year has passed and no one has been convicted of the crimes," said Mpumi Mathabela, of the Forum for Empowerment of Women.
Sigasa and Maoosa are not the only homosexuals to have been killed.
Among many others, former Banyana Banyana soccer player Eudy Simelane was gang-raped and murdered in April this year at KwaThema in Ekurhuleni.
Dorcas Lynch, spokesperson for the Masooa family, said: "It was terrible to wake up this morning knowing that the murderers are still at large.
"And by coming out here today we are exposing ourselves to unknown attacks. It is difficult for families to stand up for their gay children in the community."
- This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on July 08, 2008
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