The instigator behind false allegations on social media that a gay initiate was raped and killed, will now be investigated, after the Phila Ndoda movement, together with representatives of the LGBTQI+ community, opened a criminal case of defamation.
The rumours made the rounds on Facebook groups and Twitter claiming that an initiate was abducted from his hut at KwaMagxaki by a group of men and taken to bushes near Motherwell where he was allegedly raped and found dead at the weekend.
However, police confirmed that there was no such initiation school in KwaMagxaki during the present season.
The founder of the Gqeberha-based movement, with more than 500 members, Zolile Dayimane, said rumours had a damning influence on the LGBTIQ+ community as well as sending a wrong message about ulwaluko (initiation).
He said together with his team, they went to the initiation schools around the Bay on Wednesday to ask and interview initiates, who confirmed it never happened.
“We also inquired from traditional leaders who are responsible for ulwaluko, hence we take it upon ourselves to hold the person accountable by opening a case against him.
“This might traumatise abakhwetha [initiates] who are from the LGBTI+ community and also negatively influence other men to attack such abakhwetha,” Dayimane said.
The movement, joined by LGBTIQ+ community activists, opened the case at the KwaDwesi police station on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed a case was opened.
“This is in relation to a Facebook post alleging that an initiate from an initiation school in KwaMagxaki was allegedly raped by a group of males and killed because he was gay.”
She said police had also checked the veracity of the allegation and found that it was untrue.
Dayimane said they wanted to prevent any further false claims that might disturb or frighten others planning to go to initiation schools.
Ayanda Makebenge, 24, from the Isicebise social inclusion plus LGBTIQ+ community in the Bay, said she was disturbed by the news.
“People need to first verify the information or report it to our organisations and we will investigate the matter and work with the police rather than jump to social media,” she said.
Ward 30 councillor Xolani Notshe said he received the news while in a council meeting and reached out to police and traditional leaders.
“The next day, police came back to me that there was no such thing,” he said.
“It was a worry to the gay community as a whole, I am happy that action will be taken legally so such incidents don’t happen again.”
HeraldLIVE