Durban - The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) community has welcomed the arrest of the man suspected of murdering its activist Pinky Shongwe.
Shongwe, 32, from Umlazi, was stabbed to death last month by a man who was making romantic advances which she rejected.
The suspect was arrested last week at his place of work, which police did not disclose. He has already made his first appearance in Umlazi Magistrate’s Court. The matter was postponed to May 12 for further investigation.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said a case of murder was opened by Umlazi police for investigation after a 32-year-old female was allegedly stabbed. She confirmed the arrest and said the 32-year-old was remanded until May 12.
Reacting to the arrest, LGBTQIA+ provincial convener Hlengiwe Buthelezi described the arrest as a step in the right direction, and urged the court to expedite the trial and give the suspect a hefty sentence should he be found guilty.
She called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill into law so that the minimum sentence should be determined for hate crime suspects. Buthelezi hoped the minimum sentence would not be less than a life sentence for people convicted of such crimes because they are dangerous to society.
“We are happy that police have finally found the suspect but we hope that when the trial ends the president would have signed the hate bill into law, because we want a maximum sentence for such killers. This crime should not be treated as just simple murder. It is more than murder, because the suspect first hates you for who you are before killing you, which is ridiculous,” said Buthelezi.
The victim’s sister Khethiwe Shongwe also welcomed the arrest. She said although the suspect was named, the family did not know him.
Shongwe had gone to the shop when she was confronted by the suspect who then allegedly demanded to have a sexual relationship with her.
After the victim declined and explained that she was a lesbian and could not have a sexual relationship with a man, the suspect then allegedly drew a knife and stabbed her several times and she was declared dead on her arrival at hospital.
Daily News