WC 070707 End Hate Alliance

The Zoliswa Nkonyane murder trial resumes on Monday, 28th September in the Khayelitsha Regional Court – Corner of Walter Sisulu & Chris Hani Roads. The dates set aside is from Monday, 28th September – Thursday, 01st October, and a further four days may be set aside to conclude the trial on the 7th October. Prior to the August protest action in the city centre to the Cape High Court, the Department of Public Prosecution committed to monitoring the court proceedings and the defense to ensure that the case is not unduly postponed. They have also committed to ensure that court time is allocated to conclude the case – hence, the 7th October has been mooted for the conclusion of the trial (this is yet to be confirmed).

There’ll be a public presence and protest at the court to continue to pressurize the State authorities to conclude the trial and to hand-down the highest sentence for the homophobic murder of Zoliswa and the attempted murders of the witnesses. We request that each alliance partner mobilize among their constituency so that a visible presence can be guaranteed at the court on the first 2 days. We further request alliance partners to mobilize and organize their constituency in terms of transport, posters, t-shirts, water, etc – and to widely circulate notices of support and solidarity to raise public awareness and consciousness around gender-based violence, homophobic crimes of hate, hate rape and heterosexist violence against LGBTI persons. Throughout the trial, a smaller visible presence will be coordinated.

The trial starts at 8h30 – and activists are welcome to be present in court wearing appropriate t-shirts of protest. The public protest outside the court, for which we are requesting community mobilization and organizing, will commence at 11h00 through to lunch time on the 28th & 29th September. The witness is expected to conclude her testimony and cross examination by the defense.

A coordinating meeting will be convened on Friday, 25th September 2009 at Triangle Project at 10h00 – we request all coordinating organizations in the various clusters to send a representative:

1. Legal Cluster: Commission for Gender Equality / Women’s Legal Centre
2. Community Mobilization Cluster: Triangle Project
3. Faith & Culture Cluster: The Inner Circle

A full alliance meeting will be convened once we have received all the relevant information from the various role players to strategize our plan of action for the duration of this trial, and around other up-coming cases.

We would also wish to thank the alliance partners who have contributed towards the August Protest poster and media campaign – your contributions are highly appreciated:

• The Inner Circle: R1000
• Gender DynamiX: R2000
• Inclusive & Affirming Ministries: R1000
• Women’s Legal Centre, Cape Town: R1000

Yours in solidarity and justice-seeking
Marlow Valentine
Convener: WC 070707 End Hate Alliance
Deputy Director – Triangle Project
Challenging Homophobia, Appreciating Sexual Diversity
Physical Address: Unit 29 Waverley Business Park, Dane Street, Mowbray 7700
Postal Address: PO Box 13935, Mowbray, 7705
Tel 021 4483812 Fax 021 4484089
Email marlow@triangle.org.za
Website www.triangle.org.za