by Lerato Dumse

Thabo Molefe made a brief appearance at the Benoni Magistrate Court, on September 26, charged with the murder of Thembelihle Sokhela (28) a black lesbian.

Portrait of the murdered Lihle Sokhela as it appears in Daveyton Uthingo – The Rainbow facebook page.

This was his second appearance, for approval of his address, necessary for him to apply for bail.

The case has been remanded until October 2 2014, while he remains behind bars.

Lihle’s body was found in Thabo’s room, at his home in Daveyton Ekurhuleni Municipality.

It is alleged that he handed himself over to police, days after Lihle disappeared.

This is not the first such incident to happen in Daveyton. Last year the body of a woman identified as lesbian, Patricia Mashego, was found on the street by residents in this township.

Funo Ndlangamandla, speaking on behalf of Uthingo, an LGBTI organisation from Daveyton that advocates for justice said they don’t want to see the perpetrator of this case walking the streets.

He said they are going to keep a close eye on the case to ensure it doesn’t fail, adding that they will also push for Patricia’s case.

Funo said they are touched by Lihle’s case because she’s human, a sister and someone’s child.

He said they will go back to court next week in bigger numbers, joined by other civil organisations.

Relative Eunice Hlongwane and Joyce Mkoni who lives opposite Lihle’s home spoke about the day they went to the suspect’s home when they heard Lihle’s body was discovered.

The women share how they were greeted by the stench, that came from one bedroom in the four roomed house, Thabo shared with his mother.

They said Thabo’s mother explained to them that she was away from home that weekend, and on Tuesday (September 16) morning her son asked her to make his bed, while he goes to sign at the police station as part of his parole conditions.

She made the gruesome discovery while trying to pick up a blanket from the floor.

Eunice and Joyce say the woman also showed them bruises on her body, alleging that she too was assaulted by her son and was unsuccessful in seeking justice.

While Lihle’s cousin Sibongile Tshabalala said she was hoping the postmortem would help add more criminal charges against Thabo, but that didn’t happen.

Related link

2014 Sept. 21: Black Sunday for black lesbians in South Africa