ACCUSED FOR MURDERING LESBIAN SOCCER PLAYER GO TO TRIAL

LESBIAN AND GAY EQUALITY PROJECT APPEAL FOR DONATIONS

The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project has been following the case into murder of Eudy Simelane (31), a former Banyana-Banyana soccer player, and an out lesbian, whose body was found stabbed and mutilated in an open field in Tornado - one of the sections in the Kwa-Thema township - on the 28 April 2008.

Five young men were initially arrested for the crimes of robbery, gang rape and murder of Simelane, due to her sexual orientation. Four of these men will stand trial at the Delmas Circuit Court in Mpumalanga from 11 to 13 February 2009.

The LGEP is mobilizing at least 120 people from the East Rand to ‘camp’ for three days in Delmas (Mpumalanga) for the duration of the trial; mobilizing the community of Delmas to join the public demonstrations during the trial; challenging all political parties on taking a stance against hate crimes targeted at LGBTI people; and developing educational and visible symbols against hate crimes and specifically around the killing of Eudy Simelane for the trial.

For this, we have an estimated budget of R200.000. MAGI has donated
R25.000 towards this initiative.

We request everyone to consider personally donating for this course. By doing so, you will be joining LGBTI activists and rights organisations in addressing:
i The backlash faced by LGBTI people in SA, which manifests itself through blatant homophobic sentiments and the killing of mostly black lesbians from the township.
ii. The State’s failure to provide overarching solutions to the endemic problem of violence.
iii. The urgent need of a change of mindsets and transformation to be supported by broader progressive movement.
iv. The possible precedent setting through convicting the men standing trial for robbing, gang-rapping and killing of Eudy Simelane and its impact on the social and political spheres in our country and hopefully internationally; and
v. Mobilising LGBTI people and activists to defend the
Constitutional and legislative guarantees, including equality, freedom and dignity in our democratic South Africa.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE DIRECTED TO

Name of account: National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality
Name of bank: NEDBANK
Branch code: 190805
Account number: 1979 367 809
SWIFT CODE: NEDS ZA JJ
Type of account: Current Account

MAKE A STATEMENT! DONATE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!

SUPPORT US IN DEFENDING THE RIGHTS TO AUTONOMY AND SELF DETERMINATION!

NO TO HATE CRIMES!

For further information, please contact

Phumzile S. Mtetwa
Executive Director
Cell: 072 795 9194

Mazibuko Jara
Acting Chairperson
083 651 0271

Nonhlanhla Mkhize
Board Member
083 748 9565

Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
36 Grafton Road (Corner Hopkins Str.); Yeoville
P O Box 27811; Yeoville; 2143
Tel: +27 11 487 3810/1
Fax: +27 11 487 2332
Email: [email][email protected]