Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2011-
A 13-year-old lesbian was raped in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, the Department of Dustice and Constitutional Development (DOJCD) announced today. How many more South African men are cowards? Today the South African Department of Justice came out in probably one of the strongest statements we have seen to date, calling men who rape women, cowards.
"Government condemns this senseless and cowardly act of criminality," department spokesperson, Mr. Tlali Tlali said in a statement. He said the girl, who was open about her sexuality, was raped in what seemed to be an act of "corrective rape" on Thursday.
SAPA reports that according to activists, lesbian women are often victims of "corrective rape", which is forced sex with a man to "cure" their sexuality.The department said every South African had the right to express themselves in the sexual orientation of their choice.
Tlali said police and the National Prosecuting Authority's sexual offences and community affairs unit would investigate the case. The girl and her family would also receive assistance from the department of justice and the department of social development.
"Gay and lesbian rights are human and constitutional rights which must be protected and respected at all times," he said.
Just two weeks ago, Noxolo Nogwaza, a 24-year-old member of the Ekurhuleni Pride Organising Committee, a gay rights group, was brutally raped and stoned to death in Kwa Thema township outside Johannesburg, targeted because she was a lesbian. Neighbors report hearing that the men threatening to rape her to take away her lesbianism.
Activists have held two meetings with Mr. Tlali Tlali, one such meeting just this past Monday, to bring reforms and awareness and shed light on homophobia with particular reference to so called corrective rape.
Ndumie funda, director of Luleki Sizwe said "It kills me. It tears my heart apart. Especially a 13 year old, it is almost an infant. It is time that the entire community stood together, also gay friendly people, churches and leaders. This task team needs to act now. We cannot sit and fold our arms. We need to act ASAP. Justice is all we are asking for, this bastard needs to be ARRESTED, prosecuted to the full extend of the law. We ask the community to help the SAPS getting this person.
We also need to see justice for Nxolo. We need to beyond just task teams, we need an imbizo where the whole community comes together and where we protect and govern vulnerable people like. In this regard we need to act immediately. We ask President Zuma to speak out at the soonest in this time of sorrow. "
Melanie Nathan of LezGetReal, who attended one such meeting reported: "We have been imploring upon Minister Radebe to openly condemn Corrective rape of lesbians and to legislate such rapes as hate crimes. To date this is the strongest statement from the office of the Minister. However we would like to have Minister Radebe himself stand before a microphone and call all South African men who rape women "cowards" as well as call upon the people of South Africa to stop the homophobic attacks on lesbians and other LGBT people."
Mr. Tlali Tlali, from the department said every South African had the right to express themselves in the sexual orientation of their choice.
The meeting held with DOJDC and National Prosecuting Authority this week, with Luleki Sizwe and other activist groups, rendered a commitment to effect the sought after LGBT Task force on the issue in partnership between the DOJDC, DPA, SAP and grass root activists aqs well as NGO's. The meetings have been held under the leadership of Mr. Tlali Tlali.
As part of the team talking with government, Henry Bantjez (Luleki Sizwe ) commented, "We can categorically state that we are confident that the Department of Justice and president Zuma's ANC Government condemns this cowardly act." A spokesperson in the DOJ (Tladi Tlali) stated that the government would like to reiterate that everyone in South Africa has the right to express themselves in the sexual orientation of their choice. "Gay and Lesbian rights are human and constitutional rights which must be protected and respected at all times."
Our sources informed us that Department of Social Development is assisting the young girl and her family during this trying time and interacting with the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority's Sexual Offences and Community Affairs unit in an effort to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Luleki Sizwe is calling for maximum sentencing in this case, given prosecution. Eugene Brockman (Gay flag of South Africa) commented "We are saddened by this violent act against this very brave young girl who did nothing wrong but being herself. Enough is enough and we are not ending our plight (and talks) with the government to escalate issues of corrective rape..."
We extend our love and support to the young and her family. No longer will we tolerate any form of discrimination or violence against the lgbti community," Bantjez said.
Studies by the government-funded Medical Research Council in 2009 and 2010 found that one in four South African men admitted to committing rape, and one in three in north-central Gauteng province, where Nogwaza and Simelane were attacked.
By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
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