The bail application of a man accused of the so-called “corrective rape” of a young lesbian woman in Ngqeleni, in the Eastern Cape, is ongoing, as LGBTQIA+ activists and community members continue to voice deep concerns about safety and justice.
The case returned to court on 9 December for the continuation of the bail hearing. During the previous appearance, the proceedings focused on the cross-examination between the prosecutor and the accused. The matter is set to continue, with the court expected to finalise the bail application on 17 December.
Speaking to MambaOnline, Notshayina Skepe, a paralegal from Access Chapter 2 (AC2), which has been monitoring the case, confirmed that the State has presented strong arguments opposing bail and has placed the safety of the survivor at the centre of its submissions.
The attack
The incident took place on 13 October 2025 at a tavern in Lwandile location, Ngqeleni. According to information shared with MambaOnline, the survivor and the suspect knew each other and reside in the same area.
On the night of the incident, the suspect allegedly contacted the survivor and asked her to assist him by calling a woman he claimed to be romantically interested in. He instructed the survivor to ask the woman to leave the tavern through a different exit, as the tavern has two doors. Later, when the survivor followed the woman’s route and went to that exit alone, she found the suspect waiting next to his vehicle.
After getting into the car, the survivor questioned him about the woman. The suspect reportedly did not respond and instead began touching her inappropriately. Feeling unsafe, the survivor exited the vehicle. It is alleged that the suspect then chased after her, covered her mouth, dragged her into nearby bushes, and raped her.
The attack was reported on the same day, and the suspect was arrested on 14 October and charged. The charge is rape and is alleged to be a hate crime targeting the survivor because of her sexual orientation.
Community action and petition
Following the attack, activists, LGBTQIA+ organisations, family members, and concerned community members from Ngqeleni and Mthatha mobilised quickly. With the support of Access Chapter 2, a petition was signed and submitted to both the investigating officer and the head of the prosecution in Ngqeleni.
The petition raises concerns about community safety and the risk posed should the accused be released on bail. It was formally submitted to the court and recorded as Exhibit F during the bail proceedings.
While threats against the survivor have been raised, Skepe noted that these concerns are still in the process of being addressed by the court.
Support for the survivor
The survivor is receiving wide-ranging support from LGBTQIA+ activists and community members from East London, King William’s Town, Ngqeleni, and Mthatha, as well as backing from a traditional leader in the area. This solidarity reflects growing resistance to hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people in rural and township communities.
On the legal front, Access Chapter 2 has played a central role in ensuring that the survivor is supported throughout the process. The organisation has engaged directly with the senior prosecutor, the assigned prosecutor, and the investigating officer to ensure that all required documentation and evidence are submitted, and that the survivor is consulted both before and after court appearances.
Looking ahead
As the bail hearing approaches its conclusion on 17 December, activists remain watchful. “The points of argument are very tough,” said Skepe, “but we hope that justice will be served for the victim.”
The case has become another stark reminder of the ongoing violence faced by lesbian women in South Africa, and of the urgent need for courts to take hate crimes seriously, especially where community safety and the lives of LGBTQIA+ people are at risk.
MambaOnline will continue to follow this case.
