The Mercury E-dition

LGBTQ+ murder: suspect arrested

SE-ANNE RALL se-anne.koopman@inl.co.za

POLICE have arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the murder of Anele Bhengu. Bhengu was a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and her death has been viewed as a hate crime.

The suspect was arrested on the South Coast yesterday afternoon.

Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele, said officers received details about a suspect who had allegedly murdered a woman in KwaMakhutha.

“The team went to Mlahlandlini area at Gcilima. Upon seeing the police officers, the suspect fled from his home into the nearby bushes,” Mbele said.

She said the police gave chase and caught him in the bush. He was placed under arrest at Margate SAPS and transferred to KwaMakhutha SAPS for processing.

He will be appearing in the Umbumbulu Magistrate’s Court soon.

Bhengu’s body was found dumped in KwaMakhutha.

She had been raped and stabbed repeatedly. Her throat and abdomen had also been slit.

The MEC for Social Development in KZN, Nonhlanhla Khoza, this week visited Bhengu’s family.

Members of the LGBTI+ community said they would ensure that Bhengu’s death was not in vain.

METRO

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2021-06-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://themercury.pressreader.com/article/281578063617506

African News Agency