By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013.

In the very week when the South African LGBT community paid tribute in KwaThema to comrades fallen in violent homophobic attacks, and called for justice in the 2 year unsolved murder of Noxolo Nogwaza, another lesbian was murdered in Daveyton*, a nearby Township.

The body of Patricia Mashego, 36, from Daveyton, was found brutally beaten, near a school and there are unconfirmed reports that bricks and stones were found close to the body which may have bee used in the attack. Cause of death has yet to be released. And it is unknown if she was sexually assaulted.

According to sources Pat Mashego had two children and worked as a sales person. Her funeral and memorial will take place in Daveyton Township on April 27.

At the commemorative rally, police and authorities were called out for failing to protect South Africans from homophobic crimes. Many turned up at the rally where the Councillor of KwaThema was invited to offer some insight as to the developments regarding the murder case of Noxolo, however he did not attend. After some inquiries on the day, he sent a representative who offered very little information as to where the case stands. The South African Police were also not in attendance.

Mandi Mbatha (a FEW Volunteer) noted: “This epidemic is sweeping through the LGBTIQA community and the government has done very little to curb the violence that is claiming the lives of so many. Many victims of hate crimes were mentioned at the commemorations who still await justice and the members of the LGBTIQA community found themselves protesting both out of anger and frustration as well as sadness for the inaction experienced. The South African government is still yet to launch a campaign raising awareness against hate crimes; they have yet to draft legislation that will protect this minority against these brutal crimes.”

*Daveyton is a township in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality of Gauteng in South Africa. It borders Etwatwa to the north, Springs to the east, Benoni to the south, and Boksburg to the West.

Memorial Information From Inkanyiso:

Memorial Service & Funeral Alert: Tomorrow the Uthingo LGBTI group in Daveyton will be marching in honour of Patricia “Pat” Mashego, a lesbian from Daveyton, who was brutally murdered this past weekend. Her lifeless body was discovered on 21 April 2013 at Mabaso str, Daveyton. Uthingo & other will begin the march at 2pm from where Pat’s body was found, (Inkatha-ka zulu Primary school) to the memorial service held at her home.

She will then be buried on Saturday 27 April 2013. Funeral service will starts at 7:30am till 9:00am, then proceed to Phumlani cemetery where she will be laid to rest. Let attend & show solidarity against hate crimes.

May her soul rest in peace.

We will posts updates about this case as they come in.

The Day of Commemoration also honored the other LGBTI people who were murdered on the basis of their sexual orientation, in and around Ekurhuleni, including Eudy Simelane , Girlie Nkosi, Xolani Dlomo and many others who were killed in similar circumstances.

Activists, allies, families and friends remembered Noxolo Nogwaza, Eudy Simelane & Girly Nkosi… Inkanyiso documented the event hosted by EPOC & Amnesty International.

Photos by Collen Mfazwe Nqobile Zungu and Muholi Muholi — at Tsakane Township.