Cape lesbian killers are jailed
Four men were today jailed for stabbing and stoning 19-year-old lesbian Zoliswa Nkonyana to death
The brutal attack took place in 2006.
Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase, Luyanda Londzi and Mbulelo Damba were sentenced by the Khayelitsha Regional Court to 18 years, four of which were suspended for five years.
A crowd outside the court cheered, sang, raised their fists and danced when news came that the men had been sentenced.
“We asked the presiding officer to sentence the men to no less than 15 years in prison as they committed a heinous crime, killed a young woman because she was living openly as a lesbian, never showed any remorse or accepted responsibility for what they have done,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said.
“Only their parents apologised on their behalf and we believe rehabilitation stands a small chance of being achieved.”
The men were found to have killed Nkonyana because she was openly living as a lesbian.
Another five accused were acquitted.
The National Prosecuting Authority's Ntabazalila said the sentence sent a strong message that hate crimes would not be tolerated.
“We are happy that the court agreed with us that these gentlemen did not show any remorse and had a slim chance of being rehabilitated,” he said.
Nkonyana’s stepfather, Gladwell Mandini, 45, said: “They did not accept responsibility for what they did and we are happy that when we asked for a lengthy jail term, she (the magistrate) agreed to that.”
He said the long court case that saw numerous postponements had been an ordeal for the family.
“It wasn’t easy all these times the case was postponed. As the family we have accepted this, but the loss we will not forget.”
Jayne Arnoff, a director of the gay and lesbian organisation Triangle Project, said they were satisfied with the sentencing.
“The magistrate said Zoliswa had a right to live openly as a lesbian because that was her own choice,” she said.
“She sent out a strong message that we are a diverse society and that we must respect each other’s diversity.”
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Comments
SKIZOBANTWANA
Jeeeeeeeeeer they deserved a life sentence.. God Greatious!!!!Report Abuse
RobinH
GREAT. But let's just watch the homophobes have a whole lot of hate to blow at the world.Report Abuse
Sinudeity
They deserved death penalty.At least now some Nigerian will make them his wives.
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MabhebezaEC2
AdIf you want to k!ll some one, come to South Africa!
If you want a corrupt full country, come to South Africa!
Not only you'll get minimum sentences for these crimes,
you also get f.r.e.e accomodation, food & unlimited usage of TV!
If that's not a bargain, you don't know what you want!
COME NOW & ENJOY THE FRUITS OF CRIME! YHE!!! ;-)
Report Abuse
coldi
@SinudeityThey deserved death penalty.
At least now some Nigerian will make them his wives.
======================================
TRUE THAT
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MommaC
18 years, four of which were suspended for five years???? meaning they got 14 years and will be out in no time at all.
In other news two RHINO poachers were sentenced to 25 years each.
What kind of effed up legal system do we have when a bloody rhino is worth more than a human?
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Tsafendason
Isn't it ironinc that they get jailed for killing somebody because she was a homosexual and having same sex relationship and now they are gona be subjected to the same? as they, karma is a she dog!!!!!!!!!Report Abuse
tsayaya
rhino is one of the big five and an endangered species, if not protected by law it can run extinct,unless you have a figure like one to show your kids how it looked likeReport Abuse
MommaC
tsayayaSo you agree with the law that a young woman being tortured to death is only half as inhumane as poaching a rhino is?
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2pont
LOL wat fcken joke is this the judge needs to be fired 14 years for murder while nyiggas who poach rhinos get 25……that’s BS, these ppls beat and stoned her to death and even worse didn’t even show remorse …..to the judge is u do read this or anyone who knows pls tell him I sed he a b*tch
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