Woman allegedly shot and killed because she was a lesbian
A woman has been assaulted, abducted and shot dead because of her sexual orientation, according to friends of the victim.
Noluvo Swelindawo, 22, from Driftsands, South Africa, was killed after a man allegedly broke into her shack and beat her up.
She had been beaten up on Friday night and left with a swollen eye.
The following day she refused to talk about the assault, according to neighbours, but confirmed she had been attacked.
Her partner, Nqabisa Mkatali found the windows of their home smashed and the door kicked in Saturday night.
Loved ones and neighbours searched through the night until they were told of the discovery of her body on a footbridge.
Her body was found by the nearby road with evidence of gun shots.
Friends and family claim the attack happened because of her sexual orientation and are calling for authorities to implement the country’s Hate Crimes law.
More than half of LGBT people in South Africa say they fear discrimination in their day to day lives because of their identity.
Although the country has extensive LGBT protection laws, social attitudes outside of the major cities have consistently lagged.
