REPORT BACK FROM THE TRIAL OF EUDY'S MURDERERS

Steve shares her impressions after attending the Court proceedings
Published on: 19 March 2009

You were in Delmas over the 3 days of hearings, was there a lot of commotion, or did it pass uneventfully and quietly?

Yes, the court hearing that in all took three days, it was very sad. It was a time when we wanted justice from the justice system; visibility and support was tremendous.

What was the reason for you going there?

Activists, and society at large, have been raising their voices against hate crimes targeting particularly black lesbians and calling for measures to recognize and stop this growing spate against yet another vulnerable group in society, OUT has been part of this case from day one, and like other activists, we demand justice; the main reason was to lobby for the prosecution and to support the family, friends and other activists. OUT had a team of counsellor offering psycho social support to the family, friends, community members and the broader LGBT community

How many people attended?

More than 100 people per day.

Did you meet / speak with the family? How are they feeling?

I have spoken with the family, they have accepted the sentence. During the 3 days trial they felt frustrated, angry and demanded justice. The family expressed anger freely: Eudy’s mother can not find peace in her heart to forgive the perpetrators, she is demanding justice to be served and she will only leave the accused in the hands of the law. The family had smiles after the sentence, even though it wouldn’t bring Eudy back. But they do feel that he deserved more than that.

Were there many community members showing their support? How do they feel about their friend being killed for being lesbian?

There were people from the LGBTI movement, HIV/AIDS activists, women’s rights movements as well as ANC members, members of Chosen Few, and friends and family of Eudy, they all protested and march, with banners and posters. They were angry and they expresesd their loss, as Eudy was a sister, friend and role model for many of them. Eudy supported most of them emotionally, through their hard times… They now fear for their own lives and as perpetrators’ friends were there, and they were threatening some of protestants. They felt frustrated and angry.

What are your reflections now – a few days after sentencing of the 1st suspect, Thato Mphiti,…

As activists and the Simelane family left the courtroom on the last day of Mpithi’s trial, many mixed reactions were expressed. The 32 years sentence seems acceptable, given legal precedents’ in our country. The fact that Judge Mavundla found “no significance” in Mpithi’s crime, he failed to recognise that lesbians do face rape and murder in South Africa. Activists hope that this aspect will be more prominent in the case against the other three accused.

What’s next?

We will fight for justice, and we will be involved in many initiatives that will engage in strategies on the actual case proceedings against the three co-accused, keep communities mobilised and vigilant, and enhance efforts to out route this scourge of violence and crime in society.

How can these hate crimes be stopped in SA? What action is needed and by whom?

Civil society, human rights sector and the JWG, 777, LGBTI organisations, and individuals  should strive for the hate crime legislation, as this will have impact to the sentencing of perpetrators and finding justice for our marginalised community.

What is the role of organisations working in the sector?

The role of organisations , working through the 777 campaign is the following:

• Legal and lobbying
• Community mobilization and direct action
• Building solidarity
• Media and communications
• Research and Documentation

We encourage everybody to get involved in the movement agains gender-based hate crimes: contact the 777 Campaign through any of the Joint Working Group (JWG) organisations.