Queer community demands justice for gay man murdered in the Eastern Cape
The group marched to Parliament on Friday calling for the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill to be fast tracked
Dozens of people march through the streets of Cape Town to Parliament to demand justice for Andile âLuluâ Ntuthela, a gay man who was murdered in the Eastern Cape in what is believed to have been a hate crime. Photo: Asharf Hendricks
- Andile âLuluâ Nthuthelaâs was found in a shallow grave in the Eastern Cape days after he was reported missing.
- Gay and lesbian activists believe he was murdered because he was gay, and marched to Parliament on Friday.
- They are demanding that Parliament fast track the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill.
About 100 people marched to Parliament on Friday, calling for justice after the murder of Andile âLuluâ Ntuthela.
Protesters held up placards saying: âIâm sorry that we couldnât protect youâ and âJustice for Luluâ. Ntuthelaâs body was found in a shallow grave days after he was reported missing. The body was on the property of Luvuyo Jonas, who is currently in custody for the murder in the Eastern Cape. It is believed Ntuthela was murdered because he was gay.
A statement by Iranti, an organisation that campaigns for gay and lesbian rights, states that Ntuthelaâs murder follows a number of other recent murders which include Sphamandla Khoza, a gay man from Durban. Nathaniel Mbele in the Vaal area and Nonhlanhla Kunene from Pietermaritzburg who was lesbian.
Sibusiso Kheswa from Iranti said that they were âangered by the attacks on LGBTI peopleâ. Kheswa said that the government must ensure justice is served. Kheswa said that many cases have been closed by the police and National Prosecuting Authority without thorough investigations which gives the impression that âLGBTI lives donât matterâ.
Outside Parliament protesters stood in a circle singing while holding candles and flowers, as they mourned Ntuthela.
Entertainer and activist Soli Philander, who spoke during the vigil, said that all people seek to do is live their purpose âand we get murdered for itâ. Philander said that was âthe worst possible thing that can happen to a human being in the era of our freedom, of our democracyâ.
Kamza Gwana of the âJustice for Luluâ movement said, âWe seek justice for the brutal murder of queer bodies in this country. Queer bodies do not walk and live freely, they live in a hetro-patriarchal society.â
Mabuti Mkangeli of the Triangle Project said queer people died every day âbecause of their sexualityâ. Mkangeli said that there was often little to no support from families, police, or government.
Provincial Secretary of the ANC Ronalda Nalumango received and signed the memorandum handed over by the group. She agreed that there should be no bail for perpetrators of crime against the queer community.
Demands in the groupâs memo included that Parliament fast track the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill.
Protesters said that they would return if their demands are not met.
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