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Plea for wheels of justice to turn faster

todayMarch 28, 2024 66

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LGBTQI+ activist and founder of the Feather Awards, Thami Dish, is calling for the speeding up of the justice system, especially in cases of crimes against the queer community.

The activist’s reaction follows Tuesday’s conviction of Arthur Khoza (19), Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), and Thato Mosetla (22) for the brutal murder of popular queer activist, Sam Mbatha.

The matter was postponed to the 25th of July for sentencing.

The three were found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.

They hacked, burnt to death the openly gay 24-year-old Mbatha in Klipgaat in 2021, in what was believed to have been a hate crime.

Speaking to YNews, Thami Dish described the conviction as a small victory for the entire queer community.

The Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW), which is a black lesbian feminist organisation that engages in advocacy, and education, has also weighed in on the matter.
FEW hopes the trio won’t be given a slap on the wrist as it’s been the ‘norm’ with other hate crimes involving the queer community.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Jade Madingwane, says more work must be done on the ground to educate people on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“We cannot be uncomfortable in the communities that we exist in because people are ignorant to our sexual orientation or gender identities,” adds Madingwane.
Fellow FEW member and activist, Roché Kester, is lamenting the snail’s pace of the case.

Written by: Nokwazi Qumbisa

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