Horror Murder of Joburg Teen May Be LGBTQ+ Hate Crime (Graphic)

The country is in shock following the brutal murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose in Gauteng, which authorities believe could be linked to her sexuality.

A passer-by discovered Likhona’s mutilated body on Sunday in an open field in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg. She was found naked from the waist down, with her genitalia removed.

The horrific nature of the attack is especially jarring as it coincides with the start of both International Pride Month and Youth Month in South Africa.

Likhona was a Grade 8 learner at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville. Her family reported her missing on Saturday when she failed to return home. She had reportedly last been seen with a group of friends.

Officials Visit Family, Condemn Brutality

Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, visited the teenager’s family alongside Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, the Deputy Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

Speaking to the media, Boshielo condemned the “ongoing targeting of women, young girls and vulnerable groups” and confirmed that investigators are pursuing two possible motives for the heinous crime.

“It could be Likhona was targeted for her sexuality—making it a hate crime—or her body parts were mutilated for muthi purposes,” explained the minister.

“Our investigations are ongoing and maximum resources have been roped in to find those that are behind the killing of this young woman.”

Boshielo added that the SAPS occult unit had been called in to assist with the investigation.

A Symptom of a Gender-Based Violence Crisis

Letsike described the killing as part of the broader pandemic of gender-based violence plaguing the country. She urged communities to play a role in ensuring that “perpetrators have no space in society” and promised that “the perpetrators will be found.”

Letsike demanded urgent societal change, stating, “Men must stop raping [and] killing the people of this country,” and warned that they “are robbing this country of the potential of young people.”

Likhona’s murder comes a week after 30-year-old Olorato Mongale’s lifeless body was found dumped in Lombardy West, North of Johannesburg. Mongale was killed after going on a date with a man she met at a mall in Bloemfontein.