The LGBTQIA+ community in Gauteng’s Vaal region, south of Johannesburg, is reeling after a brutal hate crime left a young gay man traumatised and injured.
On the early morning of Monday, 26 May 2025, 31-year-old Mokgethi Herbert Mahlonoko from Tshepiso in Vanderbijlpark was the victim of a brutal and unprovoked attack, simply for being himself.
Mokgethi had been enjoying a night out with friends at a local tavern. Later that evening, as the group moved to another venue to continue their good time, two men began to follow them.
Mokgethi says he recognised the men, one of whom he had previously shared drinks with, and didn’t initially perceive any danger.
“I didn’t pay much attention to them because I personally knew thems ,” Mokgethi recalled. “One of them even used to sit and drink with me.”
But the situation quickly turned sinister. One of the men aggressively grabbed Mokgethi’s female friend, trying to force her to leave with him. When she resisted, the other man turned his attention to Mokgethi.
“He said, ‘I want to rip out that gay part of you,'” Mokgethi recounted. The men then launched a savage attack, beating him with a panga and bricks. While his friends managed to flee and seek help, Mokgethi was left helpless and bleeding on the ground.
“I was simply lying there, doing nothing,” he said. “When they were done, I managed to crawl to the nearest house to seek help.” Pictures from the scene show a dazed and bloody Mokgethi on the ground with cuts to his head and face.
A local resident recognised Mokgethi and called his mother. He was rushed to the Sharpeville Clinic, where he was treated for multiple injuries, including lacerations, a swollen blue eye and chest trauma from being repeatedly kicked. An X-ray was performed to check for internal head injuries.
Once he regained consciousness, Mokgethi made his way to the Boipatong Police Station to open a case.
“All I want is justice—nothing more, nothing less,” he stated.
The attack has sparked outrage in the community and beyond. Local LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Vuka (Vaal) People’s Rainbow Movement has taken up the case and pledged to fight for justice.
“We are not going to allow haters to walk freely under our watch just because Mokgethi is living his gay life,” the group declared. “We will continue to advocate for justice for one of our own.”
One suspect has already appeared in court and was released on his first appearance. His next court date is set for 8 July 2025 at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court. The second suspect remains at large.
Meanwhile, Mokgethi and his family have been referred to the Badumetse Batho Centre for psychosocial support as they try to cope with the trauma of the attack.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also spoken out against the attack in a public statement.
“The Democratic Alliance Rainbow Network in the Vaal stands with the survivor of a horrific hate crime—a member of the LGBTQIA+ community—that included a panga attack, assault with bricks and hate speech,” said the party.
“We condemn this crime for its hateful, divisive effect. Justice must be served,” the DA added.
