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| Relief at lesbian killer jailing | Relief at lesbian killer jailing |
| (7 minutes later) | |
| Gay activists in South Africa have welcomed the life sentence handed down to a man for the killing and gang rape of lesbian football star Eudy Simelane. | Gay activists in South Africa have welcomed the life sentence handed down to a man for the killing and gang rape of lesbian football star Eudy Simelane. |
| Ms Simelane was one of the first women to live openly as a lesbian in KwaThema township near Johannesburg. | Ms Simelane was one of the first women to live openly as a lesbian in KwaThema township near Johannesburg. |
| The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project says lesbians are often targets of sexual violence by people wanting to "cure" their homosexuality. | The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project says lesbians are often targets of sexual violence by people wanting to "cure" their homosexuality. |
| Judge Ratha Mokgoathleng described the attack as "brutal and undignified". | Judge Ratha Mokgoathleng described the attack as "brutal and undignified". |
| More than 30 lesbians have been reported raped and murdered in homophobic attacks in South Africa since 1998. | More than 30 lesbians have been reported raped and murdered in homophobic attacks in South Africa since 1998. |
| 'Attackers knew her' | 'Attackers knew her' |
| "We express relief at the conclusion of the trial, and thank everyone who has supported the mobilisations and campaign to ensure justice," The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project said in a statement sent to the BBC. | "We express relief at the conclusion of the trial, and thank everyone who has supported the mobilisations and campaign to ensure justice," The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project said in a statement sent to the BBC. |
| I'm happy. I'm released. My life will come right again Eudy Simelane's mother Mally Tackling SA's rape epidemic | I'm happy. I'm released. My life will come right again Eudy Simelane's mother Mally Tackling SA's rape epidemic |
| "We call on all to support the long journey to ensure an egalitarian society." | "We call on all to support the long journey to ensure an egalitarian society." |
| The body of the former national women's football team player and lesbian activist was found in an open field in KwaThema township in April 2008. | The body of the former national women's football team player and lesbian activist was found in an open field in KwaThema township in April 2008. |
| Ms Simelane was approached after leaving a pub and robbed of her mobile, trainers and cash. | Ms Simelane was approached after leaving a pub and robbed of her mobile, trainers and cash. |
| She died from wounds to the abdomen after being gang raped and stabbed 12 times. Her naked body was dragged towards a stream and dumped. | She died from wounds to the abdomen after being gang raped and stabbed 12 times. Her naked body was dragged towards a stream and dumped. |
| In the Delmas court, Judge Mokgoathleng said he believed she and her attackers were known to each other. | In the Delmas court, Judge Mokgoathleng said he believed she and her attackers were known to each other. |
| Themba Mvubu, who had pleaded not guilty to all charges, was also sentenced to 20 years for being an accomplice to rape and 15 years for robbery. | Themba Mvubu, who had pleaded not guilty to all charges, was also sentenced to 20 years for being an accomplice to rape and 15 years for robbery. |
| Two other men were acquitted. | Two other men were acquitted. |
| In February, another man who had pleaded guilty to the charges was sentenced to 32 years. | In February, another man who had pleaded guilty to the charges was sentenced to 32 years. |
| The prosecution initially had said sexuality was not a motive, but activists insisted it was a case of "corrective rape". | The prosecution initially had said sexuality was not a motive, but activists insisted it was a case of "corrective rape". |
| After the sentence, Ms Simelane's mother Mally said: "I'm happy. I'm released. My life will come right again", South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper reports. | After the sentence, Ms Simelane's mother Mally said: "I'm happy. I'm released. My life will come right again", South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper reports. |
| Crime statistics released on Tuesday show a 10% rise in sexual offences - with 27,750 rapes committed against men and women in the first six months of the year reviewed. |