A 22-year-old crossdresser, Syabonga Clement Hadebe, was murdered by unknown assailants in South Africa.
Clement was shot nine times while walking home in Malvern, Johannesburg.
His lifeless body was found by the police with multiple gunshot wounds on 10 August 2024.
Cartridges were found on the scene, and Clement was declared dead.
Women For Change advocacy group in a statement on Saturday, August 24, said the deceased identified as a trans woman and had recently started transitioning.
Local media reports indicate Hadebe, who is from KwaZulu-Natal province, was at a popular outing area in Johannesburg on the night of August 9 with a friend when they began to interact with the alleged male shooter who was showing interest in them, particularly Hadebe.
It was said that before they decided to leave with the alleged shooter, Hadebe’s friend asked him to disclose he was a gay crossdresser. Hadebe did not follow his friend’s advice.
They then left with the alleged shooter, but he didn’t want to go with Hadebe’s friend to the B&B. The friend was later dropped off, and Hadebe and the alleged shooter were left alone.
Locals have suggested the murder was premeditated, while others have faulted Hadebe because he did not disclose his gender identity.
Sibonelo Ncanana, civil society engagement officer for OUT LGBT Well-being, an LGBTQ advocacy group, in a statement, said the organization “is appalled by the murder of Clement as well as the queerphobic victim-blaming sensationalism surrounding his death.
“Victim-blaming is never acceptable,” said Ncanana. “The notion that LGBTIQ+ people are hiding who they are when they are simply being themselves is deeply concerning. Our identity is not something that requires disclosure.”
Ncanana said OUT LGBT Well-being will closely follow the investigation into the murder and called upon law enforcement officials to ensure there is justice for Hadebe.
“No one should be forced to reveal their true identity to appease someone else’s curiosity or assumptions,” said Mohale Motaung, a prominent LGBTQ activist.
“Again, Clement Hadebe’s tragic story is a reminder that self-disclosure should always be a choice, not a condition for acceptance or safety.”
Although South Africa is the only African country that recognizes and upholds the rights of the LGBTQ community, many South Africans do not support it because of cultural and religious beliefs.
