E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSIn a landmark decision in post-apartheid South Africa, four men were given 18 years in jail on Wednesday for stoning and stabbing to death 19-year-old Zoliswa Nkonyana for living openly as a lesbian.
A crowd outside the court in Cape Town township cheered and danced after the sentencing was announced, the BBC News reported.
Mbulelo Dama, Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase and Luyanda Londzi -- juveniles when the crimes were committed - were convicted of Nkonyana's murder last year, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported. Five others were acquited.
While rights groups complained throughout the trial that proceedings were taking too long -- they took almost six years -- and involved more than 40 postponements, the verdict was a watershed, an official at a South African NGO that fights discrimination against gay, lesbian bisexual and trans-gender people told msnbc.com.
"It is the first case in South Africa where sexual orientation and identity was named and recognized as an aggravating factor in a murder trial," said Marlow Newman-Valentine, Deputy Director of Triangle Project.
The magistrate in the case said hatred and homophobia were clearly the motive for the killing, and Wednesday's sentence was meant to send out a signal that violence based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated, the BBC reported.
South Africa's constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual preference but homophobia is rife in the country. In addition, the country's female homicide rate six times the world average, according to a June-2011 study in The British Journal of Criminology.
Activists were "still hugely concerned" with the South African police's effectiveness when it came to dealing with these sorts of crimes, and their unwillingness or inability to follow proper procedures in many cases, he said.
"As the Triangle Project we are extremely happy about the outcome of this particular trial but we have a long way to," Newman-Valentine said.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Leave a Comment:
In louisiana, people are regularly sentenced to 25 years in prison for selling marijuana. The drug war is a crime against humanity. The authorities are monsters.
Murder is murder. These 4 got off light.
Ignorance is Bliss........NOT!! Just STUPID
Our religious nut jobs are going over there and preaching hate.I can't say these thing would not happen otherwise but spreading the word of GOD should not include spreading your brand of discrimination.
Crosby
I did not know Louisiana was in South AFRICA! I believe that is called hijacking the thread.
big mac
I didn't see that religion was mentioned in the story. Do you have a link on a report showing religion has anything to do with this?
Believe it or not there are Atheists that hate too - you might even be one, if you hate religious folks.
Maybe it's not South Africa but on the African continent over 500 Gays were killed in Uganda as a result of our American Evangelicals going there spreading hatred. Read about David Kato. Hate is hate and one country in Africa or another, it's still on the continent that this article is about. What provoked the hatred and the murder is indeed suspect. This is a forum for people to leave their opinion and playing monitor with your own agenda is also inappropriate. bigmac has just as much of a right to make comments or leave opinions as the next one. Respect others.
Mike, why not show us where it says Kato was killed because of Religion. His death was attributed to his driver and another man that may have been refused sex by Kato.
Can you show HOW religion was involved in his death? Unless you can why don't you RESPECT those of faith? Especially since the VAST majority of those of faith would never stand for such actions.
You like to talk respect but you don't live it.
You have no idea how BIG AFRICA is.
As a continent it is bigger than the USA, China, Argentina, Western Europe, the British Isles, and India COMBINED. One country in Africa being the same as another is like saying Mexico is just like the USA. Or Sweden is just like Greece.
http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/africa_in_perspective_map.jpg
Yes, people have the right to spread lies, prejudice, and stupidity in these forums - BUT when they do I also have the right to call them out on it.
You're obviously confused, offtrack and don't read. Nobody is attacking religion. I happen to be Catholic but I'm simply bringing facts to the forum that there is homophobia which this article is tied to. I mentioned that Africa is a continent and said nothing about the size of the continent or the various countries. Stop trying to strike at things without any basis. This particular article is about homophobia and the consequences of murdering Gays in "one country" (South Africa) on the African continent. There are no lies about the facts of 4 dead women or by whom the crime was committed. My example of "another" African country (Uganda) that has killed over 500 Gays due to their homosexuality, that does tie into the homophobia in Africa and you should and cannot deny that. Those murders were tied to American Evangelicals and I will not ignore that fact (not opinion) Stop trying to monitor or imply that others here are ignorant. You're coming across very arrogant and unfocused. Google is a good tool to find relevant facts.
So this is not attacking religion?
WOW who would have thought that wasn't an attack on religion?
Of course you added that word of love:
You might want to reread your BS.
You tried to say ...... errrrr, well here is your own words:
That is like saying Texas is like California, San Francisco is like Los Angeles, Compton like Beverly Hills, etc.
Look, making gross generalizations has never solved any problems. Hate and prejudice has to be stopped on all sides if it is to be stopped anywhere.
Homophobia is a HUMAN problem not a religion problem....How do I know this? I know of Atheists that hate gays more than any Christian I have ever known.
You can make generalizations about a certain Church and it's actions such as those Clowns from Westboro. To make the connection all Evangelicals are the same is wrong, and destructive.
I have to go to work, would have loved to rant more.
Think about it.
And to add one more Mike. You're blaming Christians for this hate when Islam is the most outspokenly anti gay religion that stones people! And, they are getting a foothold in many parts of Africa!
Desperate people say desperate things and you obviously don't know your figures. Read about the Holy Crusades and the numbers. It's unbelievable how many people "think" they know something. I went to one of the best schools in the U.S. and I doubt that the two people here blasting me and others can say the same. Wrong is wrong and the 4 dead women in South Africa is the topic of discussion. Bringing up facts about Uganda and how other Gays were murdered as a result of American Evangelical is in black and white. I didn't write it or create it. Any hatred against sexual preference, race or religion that results in death is unacceptable and there are no excuses. It's appalling that people kill in the name of God or because they have no tolerance for other religions. I stick to my beliefs and you can continue to believe in yours. The computer can be used to learn something and not just for attacking others who have a right to express themselves here.
You just sound one sided. Not intellectually superior.
Mike
You said about me:
Mike, hold that unfocused thought for a bit later.....
Right now let's think about arrogance...
For a guy having such a superior education you should be able to show the PROOF there is a connection between the killings and Evangelism. YOU STILL HAVEN'T SHOWN ANY CONNECTION.
You should be smart enough to know that hearsay means nothing.
You should be smart enough to know all you have given is gossip.
PS
George Bush went to Yale.
Paul Allen dropped out of Washington State University.
It isn't where you go to school, it's what you do with that object between your ears.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Crusades weren't religious based, they were over control of land.
They weren't out to make people into believers (a religious war) they were out to reclaim Jerusalem.
Previously 3,000 Christian Pilgrims were killed. It was considered important for Christians of the time to make the Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. They weren't allowed to by the Islamic Turks that had taken the land, so they chose to take the LAND back.
You should have learned about that in your super duper school.
---------------------------------------------------------------
No doubt about it - The woman killed was a horrendous wrong - then some yokels here decided she was killed because of Evangelicals - That is ALSO a horrendous wrong.
You need to FOCUS a bit more; ONE woman (19-year-old Zoliswa Nkonyana) was killed in this news story. Normally I wouldn't care if you didn't get the facts right, but you are being so arrogant and then claiming I wasn't focused.
No it is not.
1) You have not shown ANY connection. IN EITHER CASE.
2) Uganda is nowhere near South Africa. It is about 3,000 miles away. It is a totally different country with a totally different Government. It is sort of like comparing the United States and Guatemala.
Any hatred is unacceptable it doesn't matter whether there is a death or not.
---------------------------------------------------------------
You are Prejudice.
Others are prejudice against Gays.
Some are prejudice against skin color, sex, nationality, religion or even what team you root for.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Prejudice has never been the cure for prejudice.
Wrap your enormous brain cells around that one.
Rip Zol. Glad there was some justice
The sentence wasn't long enough but at least they got prison time. It is hard to believe people get killed over this kind of stuff.......what a weird world we live in.
It's insane how involved people get in other people's lives. Killing someone because of something they do (be it religion, sexual orientation, lifestyle, etc.) that in no way, shape, or form affect you, your family, or you daily life in general... it's idiotic. Making your life revolve around someone else's personal choice up to the point you end up killing them... it's idiotic. Only getting 18 years for brutally murdering a teenage girl, 4 boys against one girl... it's idiotic.
Well, apparently they DID have to spend six years going through the trial proceedings, which is kind of like torture except there's no international outcry.
I'm rather more concerned about the five people who were acquitted. I wonder why they were let off.
If she had 6 or 8 girlfriends maybe they could have called her a "Bush Hog" or something; but murder?
I'm sure that American missionaires going to African countries spreading homophobia does help the situation, but at least that young woman got some justice in this case. Hopefully the gov't will increase its protection of the LGBT community in S. Africa.
How about the EXTREMELY anti gay Islamists that are all over Africa?
who cares?
Her family to start with.
Also, the LGBT community worldwide, especially in South Africa.
And women worldwide.
And decent, compassionate people worldwide.
The woman lost her life for being herself. We should care that her murderers get punished.
As do I.
I DO, douchebag.
There is that old saying "If you can't say something nice STFU"!!!!!!
Wow, it never amazes me when the "trolls" speak.. They always come in, and either say the exact opposite of what everyone else is saying, use crude humor, or bring up Obama.. Who cares? The rest of humanity.. Come join us..
I care.
It doesn't seem like a long enough sentence but at least it was recognized and there some justice served. A part of me wants to believe that people who truly wish to kill or harm another person will find any excuse to do so. I undoubtedly believe however that this was truly a hate crime. Rest in Peace Zoliswa.
It's funny, I was surprised when it said that people were cheering about the verdict. I feel like in America, there would be people protesting these scum getting any sentence at all. Violence against the LGBT community and violence against women are worldwide problems, not just in countries like South Africa. I'm glad justice was served for this woman who decided to be open about herself despite what others thought and paid the ultimate price.
What on Earth makes you say that?
I've never heard of people cheering on homophobic violence in the United States. I'm sure some people do, but not openly. There's a very serious stigma attached to that sort of thing here.
SF, just curious, are you in San Francisco? Because as for now (unfortunately) I'm living in a small town in Texas. Here, there's a much bigger stigma attached to homosexuality than to homophobia. It's terrible. Also, and I know this is a VERY extreme case, but if you've never heard of them, google the Westboro Baptist Church. It's basically made up of one family who tours the country spewing hatred toward gays (among others). I'm glad you've never experienced these kinds of people, but trust me, they're out there.
Allielcea
I am afraid it IS because you live in a small town in Texas. I am NOT knocking it, I am just saying it.
Brooke, I know that's a big part of it, and I know it's not like that everywhere (I haven't lived in Texas all my life and don't intend to any longer than my husband is stationed here). However it IS a problem and it DOES happen in America. That's all I was trying to say. Also the Westboro Baptists are in Topeka, KS which, while still not a super liberal part of the country, is NOT the South and is at least a decent sized city.
I am from a small town in Texas and I do hear what you're saying. And that crazy Westboro Baptist ARE nuttier than fruit cakes. They are filled with HATERS. They even say nasty things about the military.
FYI Brooke, the Westboros originally started protesting gay funerals. They went for years and was hardly a blip on the media's radar. That changed when they protested at military funerals. Remember they are fueled by their bible-justified hatred of gays, not ignorance.
They also protested at a young girls funeral, I think she was 7 or 8. She had died by pure accident (I want to say she tripped? but I don't remember)
The reason they said she deserved to die is because the town they were in did not want them there. The WBC's vans tires had been slashed, local pd didn't do anything to help them, townsfolk were rude and nasty to them (they deserve it)
Point is, WBC is a nasty wicked organization. Bleh I'm done before I get banned from Newsvine.
Capt, I'd say there are few people outside their organization that disagree with you (which is why I said it's a VERY extreme example). Otherwise they'd have more members than the brainwashed family members.
WBC is the reason for the ban against inbreeding.
Sorry, Allielcea, but from the way you were going on I thought you were gay and being abused. Then I read you said your husband. You seem extra angry about it and spoke from a personal perspective. Got a little confused.
Oooh, the stoners are not Muslim. They are from a Christian dominant country. Do we blame religion again?
No. IGNORANCE!
No, Brooke we blame religion. At the root of most violence against LGBT you will find a "my GOD said they're evil" sentiment. It's not ignorance because that is what their holy books claim. It is religion showing its evil head again.
I hate to burst your bubble, actually no I don't, but my pastor does not mock or ridicule anybody who is LGBT.
One of my good friends is a lesbian and I've taken her to church with me several times, and she has always been made to feel welcome and wanted. I can't say that for a lot of other places.
We were thrown out of Macy's because she used the *duh* womens restroom and some hoity toity lady got offended and had security toss us out.
Please keep your anti religious vomit to yourself. Not all Christians are bad nor do we shove our religion down other peoples throats. I can't say that for a lot of atheists or non-believers.
Alverant, did you know that the Beloved Democratic Nation of the Atheist Soviet Union had a strong policy against homosexuals (such as the complete ban against gay marriage & gay relationships) and paved the way for much anti-LGBT sentiment in Russia and the former Soviet republics, right?
So.....if THAT is not IGNORGANCE, I just don't know what is.
OK, you Athypocrites can lash out at others, as long as it comofrts to your opinion.
Cry, complain, ignore, then whine about rights.
Same old atheists.
I am sure that the lesbian who was killed was black. Nobody would have been sent to prison in South Africa for killing a white person, lesbian or straight. South Africa is a wakeup call for the USA. When blacks become a majority in the USA, we can expect the majority blacks to treat the minority whites similarly to what passes for “justice” in South Africa today.
Kind of like how white babies or women go missing in the US and it's national news for months (if not years) but when black babies or women go missing, it's a blip in the local paper?
And not that it matters, but I'm white.
Arthur, when blacks become the majority in the US, whites will have at their disposal all the laws guaranteeing equal access and treatment that the blacks have fought for. So, you have nothing to fear other than your own bigotry.
It's called statistics, and it's not about racism. It makes the news because it doesn't happen everyday. Both cases are equally appalling, but only one of them doesn't happen that often... hence, it makes the news. Also, the audience for news in America is usually targeted at the majority of the people who read it... aka white people. There are a lot more of us... simple math. So, please don't go making a race issue out of something that is not. It's like saying there are a lot more white drivers on the road than black, so our society must be keeping black people from driving.
Troll much?
And how exactly are blacks going to become the majority in the U.S.? They were just passed by Latinos for percentage of the population.
Tricky Ricky you wrote: “whites will have at their disposal all the laws guaranteeing equal access and treatment that the blacks have fought for”
Before the Whites in Rhodesia turned over their power to the majority blacks, they also passed laws guaranteeing equal access and treatment. But soon after the blacks came to power the laws were changed. There is no protection for Whites in Zimbabwe today. If a White farmer resists armed robbery or the rape of his wife, the White farmer is arrested and imprisoned or executed. The black robbers and rapists are then rewarded by the government and praised by President Robert Mugabe and acclaimed as heroes.
Detroit Storm, you wrote: “And how exactly are blacks going to become the majority in the U.S.? They were just passed by Latinos for percentage of the population.” Answer: Blacks are having more children than Whites. The increase in Latino population is multiplied by immigration. When blacks surpass Whites in population, they will also gain representation in government, where they can then pass laws to benefit their own people. The only race of people that are forbidden from looking out for their own kind are the Whites.
/
Things like this make me SHUDDER. People are SO ignorant it's frightening
"Post Apartheid South Africa"? Is this part really relevant to the story? We don't talk about the Iowa Caucasus or the NH Primary in "Post Slavery America". Ridiculous journalists always trying to be sensationalist.
Being 'different' in Africa is a curse. The African propensity for inflicting violence on others is unleashed on homosexuals, albinos, cripple and diseased individuals, those suspected of witchcraft, people from other tribes, people of other races.........it is a never ending cycle of intolerance and violence on the dark continent.
Like Albinos
The only darkness is in your brain. The scenarios that you described happen here in the US and everywhere else where humans live. I don't think that I've heard the archaic term "dark continent" in 30 years.
Arthur
I don't believe you or I will be around if and when blacks become the majority in the USA. We WILL be when
the Mexicans, Central and South Americas will though. So, get ready
This is so non-news. With all of the things happening in the world and here at home, you have to wonder what the Editor is thinking , when he is figuring what stories to let through the gate.
It's BIG news. If it was your daughter that got killed just for being Gay, you'd think differently. As far as the legal point, it sets a precedent so that future murders will have consequences. This is news and accountability too.
Having to kill a woman just because she is diffderent...now that's fear !
I do wonder if these men see themselves as the cowards they are?
Comment # 14 deleted, trollish remark and a derail.
The sentence is not long enough but it is something. Remember, this is a place where homophobes abound, and they don't feel that LGBT people deserve any just treatment. They are seen as second class citizens, so at least today, some progress was made in changing that attitude.
Baby steps still move forward. Let's celebrate the ground they're making.
Dama, Ntlabathi, Mase and Londzi...wow..how ironic..they all share the name as my pets..
dama=boston terrier
Nutlabthi=lab dog
Mase=one eye cat
Londzi=bird
Only 18 years for a hate murder? They should have been executed!
Don't tell Donald Price that...... He's nuts
maybe they will be homos when they get out of prison...if they live that long.
Justice can never be served in cases like this. All we can do is come close. And this just isn't near enough, but it is ... closer.
Only 18 years for taking a life?!?! Outrageous! What is wrong with our world?
Evil exists in every country, color, shape, gender and creed..and across all socio economic levels.. and we often have a blame the victim mentality to boot.. It makes me angry and sad to read stories like this.. but I do believe in karma.. and payback is a b*tch
I think black homophobia comes from low self esteem in many of the assaults and killings of LGBT people. Some blacks think they are inferior to whites and anything they call them like: whitey, cracker, hillbilly, well it just dosen't affect the white person, so they pick on LGBT people because they can feel superior to them and after all they would just use the bible for an excuse or the, "he made a pass at me." excuse. And I know this was in South Africa and the woman was no doubt a black person, so don't go there. I was just making a reference to blacks and homophobia.
And a poorly thought out reference at that.
All races, all religions even those with no religion, can be prejudice.
It's a human thing - no need to try and find excuses.
I used to hate others. Then I grew up.
Agreed, these guys got off lightly. They murdered an innocent person. They should be in prison for life, end of story.
THIS IS BAD ! ! !
Im an 51 year old unemployeed Coal Miner, livin here in the Foothills of Wes Virginia wiff my 16 year old wife an our 5 kids. Up in our neck u the woods, a Lebzian, when killed, gets you a free Gourmet lunch for 4 at Golden Corral, or Sambo's... your choice ! ! !
Look at the bright side,you guys in Wes' Virginny consistently send democrats to Washington.
Just one more thing for y'all to be proud of!
Well my friend..... if you liked my "Classic" line about West Virginia, I invite you to read my other posts. I'm here strictly to "make light" of sometimes crappy situations"
I will say, judging from your comment, we are both on the 'right side' of the political spectrum.
Regardless of how you feel ,universally murder is considered wrong.