The brutal killing of Hermina Khoza, a queer woman in Gauteng has left her family, friends, and the local LGBTQ+ community grappling with grief, shock, and unanswered questions.
According to reports, the 38-year-old woman was shot on 30 March 2026 in Bekkersdal, a township around 46 kilometres from Johannesburg.
Remembering Hermina Khoza: A Life Cut Short
Those closest to Hermina remember a person full of life, warmth, and authenticity as an out queer person.
“She was open about it. Even her family knew because she showed her sexuality at early ages,” said close family friend Amanda Kubheka. “She was just known by everyone and we accepted that. We never had any issues.”
Kubheka, who was among the last to speak to Hermina, recalled their final conversation. “She actually left my house… to go back home, and I spoke to her in the evening around half past eight. She told me she had arrived home safely and we would speak the next day.”
Just hours later, everything changed.
“[The next day], I got a call from a woman who was screaming and crying,” Kubheka said. “She said, ‘They shot her.’ I was confused… I had just spoken to her the night before.”
Family Devastated by Loss
The pain of that moment is echoed by Hermina’s sister, Angie Khoza, who described her as someone deeply loved within both her family and the community.
“She was a genuine person. Everyone in the community knew how she identified,” Khoza told MambaOnline. “She loved music and enjoyed life. She also loved cooking, she was a neat freak and loved cleaning the house.”
Khoza spoke about the closeness they shared as siblings. “She was the best, and as siblings we would fight, but even when we did fight, it was something that would be resolved quickly as we didn’t like conflict.”
She also recounted the devastating moment she was called to identify her sister.
“On the day of her death, some people from the community came to the house and woke us up, asking us to come identify the person who had been shot because they said it was my sister,” she said. “When we got to the scene, and I saw her lying there, I recognised my sister. It was really her.”
Allegations Point to Possible Hate Crime Motive
According to information shared by activist Mpoi Pravanya Molapo, Hermina was allegedly shot multiple times in the early morning while walking to a nearby tuckshop.
“She was going to the tuckshop to get a smoke… when a man called her by name,” Molapo said. “When she turned to look, she was shot six times, and the man ran away.”
While the motive has not yet been confirmed, Molapo noted troubling allegations surrounding the incident. “The guy who shot her was also threatening her, saying he hates lesbians,” she said. Authorities have not yet verified these claims.
A murder case has been opened with the police, though no arrests have been made. “So far we haven’t had anything, but the case was opened and given a case number,” Molapo explained.
Details surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but suspicions within the community point to a possible motive rooted in prejudice. Kubheka added that the family had mentioned a man known in the area for making hostile remarks.
“They said there’s a guy who used to make comments, saying he doesn’t like lesbians, questioning why they ‘make themselves males while they are females’,” she said. “They are suspecting a certain person, but I don’t know him.”
Financial Hardship and Trauma
Beyond the horrific circumstances of Hermina’s death, the loss has also exposed the vulnerability of the family she leaves behind.
“Things are bad… even now, having to bury her, there was no money at all,” Kubheka said. “We had to ask for assistance, and thankfully, people came through.”
She explained that the victim had been helping support the household. “She was doing piece jobs just to try and make a living. They were actually dependent on her.”
The family’s living conditions remain difficult, with multiple dependents and limited income. “It’s not a good picture at all,” Kubheka said. “They need support financially and emotionally… and counselling after something like this.”
Calls for Justice and LGBTQ+ Safety
Molapo also emphasised the broader impact on the local LGBTQ+ community. “I believe the family needs counselling,” she said. “And as the LGBTI community, they need proper workshops to teach them mostly about safety.”
She added that efforts are underway to rebuild community support systems. “I’m working on bringing back workshops about everything and inviting relevant people regarding safe spaces.”
As the investigation continues, residents and activists are calling for clarity, accountability, and protection for LGBTQ+ individuals in vulnerable communities.
