By: Natasha Archary
A Kimberley community is seeking “Justice for Tankiso”, a lesbian woman who was gang raped and then set on fire.
Tankiso Esther Tawanyane unfortunately succumbed to her injuries after being rushed to the hospital after her brutal attack.
The 34-year old was dragged into a park by three men on Friday, 07 October, gang raped and then burned alive.
Her attack is believed to be a hate crime by members of the LGBTQIA+ community who say she was targeted because the men wanted to “correct” her sexuality.
Tankiso’s badly burnt and disfigured body was discovered in front of a shack in Lethabo Park, Roodepan, Kimberley on Friday night.
She died in hospital on Saturday, 08 October after being in excruciating pain due to the severity of her injuries.
Reports suggest that Tankiso was doused with paraffin before being set on fire, which points authorities in the direction that this was a hate crime.
Tankiso worked as a security guard at the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital and her attackers are still at large.
Her family is concerned that Tankiso was a victim because she was a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“It’s not easy coming to terms with the brutal way Tankiso was taken from us. We are calling for Justice for Tankiso who didn’t deserve to die in this brutal manner.”
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