Sentencing in lesbian murder trial postponed

Frustration is mounting among gender activists as the sentencing of the four men convicted of murdering lesbian Zoliswa Nkonyana was postponed to next month.

At the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court yesterday magistrate Raadiya Whaten postponed the case to December 5 because a correctional services report was still outstanding. Sentencing is expected on December 19.

Last month, Whaten found Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Mbulelo Damba, Luyanda Londzi and Sicelo Mase guilty of Nkonyana’s murder. Three other men, Mfundo Kulani, Themba Dlephu and Sabelo Yekiso, were found not guilty.

Nkonyana was murdered on February 4, 2006, after leaving a shebeen because female patrons had allegedly tried to compel her to use a men’s toilet. Free Gender founder Funeka Soldaat said the postponement was frustrating as they had expected the case to be concluded yesterday.

“Why postpone it to December 19 when most people are away on holiday?” said Soldaat, adding that they hoped the sentences imposed would serve as a lesson to men who thought lesbians deserved to be attacked.

The case also did not start on time yesterday because Mase, who is serving a 12-month sentence for escaping from prison last year, arrived late. Four of the men, with five others from unrelated cases, escaped from the court’s holding cells in September but were later rearrested.

Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) district organiser, Lumkile Sizila said they were concerned by Mase’s late arrival at court.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said they would speed up the process of obtaining the correctional services report. - Cape Times

kwanele.butana@inl.co.za