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Lesbian killers in South Africa get 18-year jail terms | Lesbian killers in South Africa get 18-year jail terms |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Four South African men have been sentenced to 18 years in jail for stabbing and stoning to death 19-year-old lesbian Zoliswa Nkonyana in 2006. | Four South African men have been sentenced to 18 years in jail for stabbing and stoning to death 19-year-old lesbian Zoliswa Nkonyana in 2006. |
The court found that the men killed Ms Nkonyana because she was living openly as a lesbian. | The court found that the men killed Ms Nkonyana because she was living openly as a lesbian. |
A crowd outside the court in Khayelitsha, a Cape Town township, cheered and danced at the sentencing. | A crowd outside the court in Khayelitsha, a Cape Town township, cheered and danced at the sentencing. |
The constitution protects people on the grounds of sexual orientation - but homophobia is widespread. | The constitution protects people on the grounds of sexual orientation - but homophobia is widespread. |
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the sentence handed out in the Nkonyana case is highly significant - both because of its length and the fact that the magistrate concluded that Ms Nkonyana was killed for being a lesbian. | The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the sentence handed out in the Nkonyana case is highly significant - both because of its length and the fact that the magistrate concluded that Ms Nkonyana was killed for being a lesbian. |
For years activists have been calling on the state to be tougher on people who kill or attack people because of their sexual orientation - and they want the state to recognise hate crimes against lesbians, she says. | For years activists have been calling on the state to be tougher on people who kill or attack people because of their sexual orientation - and they want the state to recognise hate crimes against lesbians, she says. |
Family relief | Family relief |
Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase, Luyanda Londzi and Mbulelo Damba - who were convicted in October - were each given 18 years. | Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase, Luyanda Londzi and Mbulelo Damba - who were convicted in October - were each given 18 years. |
Five other people were acquitted. | Five other people were acquitted. |
The family of Ms Nkonyana welcomed the sentence. | The family of Ms Nkonyana welcomed the sentence. |
"They did not accept responsibility for what they did and we are happy that when we asked for a lengthy jail term, the magistrate agreed to that," stepfather Mr Mandini told South Africa's Sowetan newspaper. | "They did not accept responsibility for what they did and we are happy that when we asked for a lengthy jail term, the magistrate agreed to that," stepfather Mr Mandini told South Africa's Sowetan newspaper. |
Ms Nkonyana was stoned and stabbed nine times in February 2006, just metres from her home in Khayelitsha. | Ms Nkonyana was stoned and stabbed nine times in February 2006, just metres from her home in Khayelitsha. |
The magistrate said it was clear the motive for the killing was hatred and homophobia - and Wednesday's sentence was meant to send out a signal that violence based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated, the South African Press Association reports. | The magistrate said it was clear the motive for the killing was hatred and homophobia - and Wednesday's sentence was meant to send out a signal that violence based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated, the South African Press Association reports. |
Jill Henderson from the Triangle Project - a non-governmental organisation that fights for the rights of gay and lesbian people in Khayelitsha - said this was a good move. | Jill Henderson from the Triangle Project - a non-governmental organisation that fights for the rights of gay and lesbian people in Khayelitsha - said this was a good move. |
"The magistrate has named hate and intolerance on the basis of sexual hate and intolerance on the basis of sexual orientation as an aggravating factor in sentencing- that is the first time that has happened in a criminal trial in South Africa. It has therefore set a precedent," she told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. | |
'Corrective rape' | 'Corrective rape' |
In December, the global rights group Human Rights Watch said in a report that South Africa is "desperately failing lesbian and transgender people" - despite the country's liberal laws. | In December, the global rights group Human Rights Watch said in a report that South Africa is "desperately failing lesbian and transgender people" - despite the country's liberal laws. |
South Africa is the only African country where same-sex marriage is allowed. | South Africa is the only African country where same-sex marriage is allowed. |
But violence against gay and lesbian people is common, particularly in black communities, our correspondent says. | But violence against gay and lesbian people is common, particularly in black communities, our correspondent says. |
Lesbians are often subjected to "corrective rape" by men who think this will "cure" them of their homosexuality. | Lesbians are often subjected to "corrective rape" by men who think this will "cure" them of their homosexuality. |
Three years ago, a man was sentenced to life in prison and another to 32 years for the gang rape, robbery and murder of Eudy Simelane, a lesbian activist who had been a midfielder on the national football team. | Three years ago, a man was sentenced to life in prison and another to 32 years for the gang rape, robbery and murder of Eudy Simelane, a lesbian activist who had been a midfielder on the national football team. |
Last year, a man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and murder of Nqobile Khumalo, a lesbian in Durban. | Last year, a man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and murder of Nqobile Khumalo, a lesbian in Durban. |