Pinky Shongwe’s family believes her death was a hate crime because she was openly lesbian. Police say they are investigating a case of murder. No one has been arrested.
The family says the man was trying to court her when she turned his proposal down. It is said that the man allegedly became angry when Shongwe explained that she was dating other women.Shongwe’s sister, Nombuso says her sister had every right to be open about her sexuality. In 2021, Human Rights groups called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently address the attack of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex community. This was after a spate of these hate crimes across the country were reported.