A lesbian woman from Johannesburg says she is struggling to cope after a brutal attack outside a Hillbrow bar that she believes was motivated by homophobia.
Nombuyiselo Mbalenhle Ndebele was allegedly assaulted by two security guards outside Sonny’s Pub in Hillbrow in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident took place on Pretoria Street, between Edith Cavell and Klein streets.
According to Ndebele, the attack happened shortly after she briefly entered the venue.
“It was early hours of Monday morning when I decided to go to this club called Sonny’s,” she told MambaOnline. “When I arrived there, I was wearing my black tracksuit with a big jacket. It was my first time entering the place.”
She explained that after stepping inside briefly, she quickly decided to leave.
“When I entered there, I saw young girls dressing differently. They were actually naked in my own view. Their dress codes were not okay for their age, so I stepped out quickly.”
Ndebele says the situation escalated when a man called out to her as she was leaving.
“When I was about to go, a guy called me. I refused. Then the security guard said, ‘No, don’t call this one, this is a stabane. These are those girls who sleep with other girls, and back in our village, people like this we burn them.’”
The slur “stabane” is a derogatory term used against queer and gender-nonconforming people in parts of South Africa.
Ndebele says she confronted the men about the comments.
“I said to the guy, ‘ Why are you being so rude? Please mind your own business. I’m not from your village; I’m not even your mother’s child.”
According to her account, the confrontation quickly turned violent.
“Then the other one came from nowhere and started beating me up and saying, ‘You’re insulting my brother, you stabani, I will show you.’ He started beating me up and threatened to shoot me until I was unable to talk.”
She says a worker at the venue attempted to intervene.
“The other guy who’s a cleaner there tried to interfere to rescue me. They slapped him so hard and pushed him away.”
Ndebele says she later regained consciousness, bleeding and sought help.
“I woke up bleeding, and I went to the police station. That was when the police gave me a form and said I must go to the hospital first. I can’t open a case before the hospital check-up.”
Struggling to Cope
Photos seen by MambaOnline of Ndebele’s horrific injuries show her face bloody, bruised and swollen with lacerations on her lips.
The emotional impact of the attack has also been devastating, Ndebele says, adding that she has been battling severe distress in the days since.
“I haven’t been coping since the attack. I have a lot in my mind,” she told MambaOnline.
“I have been questioning my sexual orientation. I have a lot of suicidal thoughts. I’m thinking that maybe I’m a curse or I’m not supposed to live among others.”
She described feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
“Yesterday I almost threw myself down the balcony since I’m alone. I don’t know what to do, honestly. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t do anything.”
Demands for Accountability
Ndebele says she wants those responsible to face consequences.
“I want justice. I want to be compensated by the owner of that bar,” she said. She also wants criminal accountability for the alleged attackers.
“Secondly, I want those two security guards behind bars. I want them to learn a lesson. We’re tired of their violence, and I’m not their first victim. It’s time they learn a lesson.”
MambaOnline has been unable to contact the venue for comment.
Despite the trauma, Ndebele says she has received important support from her partner and members of the community. Family support has been more mixed.
“Since I came out as a lesbian, it’s only my dad, my uncles and aunties who have supported me through this journey and my mother, of course. Others are just ignorant, which doesn’t matter to me anymore.”
Outrage from Rights Group
LGBTIQ+ advocacy organisation OUT LGBT Well-being has condemned the attack.
Sibonelo Ncanana Trower, Human Rights Coordinator at the organisation, said the incident highlights the ongoing crisis of hate crimes targeting lesbian women in South Africa.
“We are deeply outraged and heartbroken by the brutal and hateful attack on Nombuyiselo Mbalenhle Ndebele,” said Sibonelo Ncanana Trower.
“This violent assault, accompanied by threats and dehumanising language, is a clear act of hate motivated by homophobia and misogyny. No one should ever be subjected to violence, humiliation, or death threats because of who they are or who they love.”
Trower added that the alleged involvement of security personnel makes the incident especially alarming.
“Those entrusted with ensuring safety cannot be allowed to become perpetrators of violence and hate. Such actions are criminal and must be met with the full consequences of the law.”
He said the organisation would be monitoring the case closely.
“This case will be formally monitored by the Rapid Response Team to ensure accountability, proper investigation, and that justice is pursued without delay. We call on the South African Police Service and all relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively.”
Trower emphasised solidarity with the survivor and others affected by hate violence.
“We stand in solidarity with Nombuyiselo, her partner, and all survivors of hate violence. Your lives matter. Your dignity matters. We will not be silent, and we will not allow hate to go unanswered.”
One Comment
Out organization, Pretoria and Mambaonline, thank you for your intervention assistance and supporting messages, for my partner Nombuyiselo Mbalenhle Ndebele. She is not coping at all. She is in severe pain, as well as going through depression after the brutal attack on her. My wish is that Hillbrow SAPS, get to arrest her attacker, who is alleged to have left Hillbrow, and went into hiding in Jules Street, Jeppe Town, Johannesburg.