18 Years Of Jail For Lesbian Killers
Written by E-Li Thursday, 02 February 2012 17:50
Finally, the court delivers its verdict concerning the murder of Zoliswa Nkonyana in South Africa. The four defendants were condemned to 18 years of prison.
After years of waiting and the lawsuit constantly pushed back, the court condemned the murderers of Zoliswa, 19, regarding this crime as a crime of hatred towards a lesbian and the BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says that is highly significant.
Now, there is a precedent which will allow proceedings in the event of attacks based on sexual orientation.
The magistrate said it was clear the motive for the killing was hatred and homophobia - and Wednesday's sentence was meant to send out a signal that violence based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated, the South African Press Association reports.
