Triangle Project, a human rights NGO advocating for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersexed (LGBTI) persons, secretariat for the WC End Hate Alliance categorically stated that “the process to date is a travesty of justice and cannot be allowed to continue. This case has been before the court since December 2006 and has been unduly postponed due to delay strategies by the defense. We demand justice for the family of Zoliswa, and for the chief state witness who is currently under an enormous amount of emotional pressure having to relive this traumatic experience over and over. The Alliance partners reiterated their commitment and determination to exert pressure on the State to ensure that justice is guaranteed for her gruesome murder by the mob of 20 youths”.

Human Rights activists further raise concerns that the constitutional rights of vulnerable minorities are been threatened in the current political climate of uncertainty. There is no political will to ensure safety and security; justice and an end to acts of homophobic crimes toward LGBTI persons. Violence and brutality against black lesbians go unreported and does not enjoy the same priorities, media attention, vigorous police investigation and high-profiled access to justice compared to gender-based murders in urban areas. Political leaders are quick to condemn crime and violence if they are linked to well-resourced, privileged families. Ordinary women court up in rural areas and previously disadvantaged communities still find themselves on the margins and periphery of those communities.

There is an increase of fundamentalism and misogyny based in power, oppression and patriarchy by heterosexual men. These men believe it’s their right to correct lesbian women because they are seen as other.  These men then use their power to oppress, victimize, marginalize and abuse women, and there is no outpouring of anger and outrage by society when an LGBTI person is brutally murdered as a result of the sexual orientation. We are therefore forced to ask ourselves: “In this new democracy, is this just another form of ethnic cleansing?” Class, race, privilege and gender-inequalities are all contributing factors to archaic and fundamentalist hetero-sexist values currently eroding our progressive constitution.

The WC End Hate Campaign, which include active partners such as the Commission for Gender Equality; AIDS Legal Network; Gender DynamiX; Good Hope MCC; Free Gender; The TAC; The Inner Circle; Inclusive & Affirming Ministries; Engender; Intersex SA; Triangle Project; various community-based organizations; community activists and leaders, are committed to show solidarity and exerting ressure at the next court hearing which takes place at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 21 October 2008. A public protest will be conducted between 09h00 and 12h00 to once again voice our outrage and concern.

The alliance advocates for an end to all forms of violence, hatred, brutality and victimization against the LGBTI community. We further condemn all forms of violent sexual abuse and curative rape towards black lesbian and bisexual women.

For more information regarding the WC End Hate Campaign, please e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Issued by Marlow Valentine: Friday, 05 September 2008

Contact Persons
1.    Provincial Alliance Convener: Marlow Valentine – 0836685935 / 021 4483812 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
2.    Commission for Gender Equality: Keegan Lekay – 0838781386 / 021 4264080 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
3.    Triangle Project: Vanessa Ludwig – 0823075923 / 021 4483812 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )