Clement Hadebe, a 29-year-old gay crossdresser, was shot nine times at a Johannesburg B&B on Aug. 10 

Local media reports indicate Hadebe, who is from KwaZulu-Natal province, was at a popular outing area in Johannesburg on the night of Aug. 9 with a friend when they began to interact with the alleged male shooter who was showing interest in them, particularly Hadebe.

Before they decided to leave with the alleged shooter, however, Hadebe’s friend asked him to disclose he was a gay crossdresser. Hadebe did not follow his friend’s advice.

They then left with the alleged shooter, but he didn’t want to go with Hadebe’s friend to the B&B. The friend was later dropped off, and Hadebe and the alleged shooter were left alone. 

Hadebe’s body was found at the B&B on Aug. 10, and the alleged shooter was nowhere to be seen.

Locals have suggested the murder was premedicated, while others have faulted Hadebe because he did not disclose his gender identity.

Sibonelo Ncanana, civil society engagement officer for OUT LGBT Well-being, an LGBTQ advocacy group, in a statement said the organization “is appalled by the murder of Clement as well as the queerphobic victim-blaming sensationalism surrounding his death.” 

“Victim-blaming is never acceptable,” said Ncanana. “The notion that LGBTIQ+ people are hiding who they are when they are simply being themselves is deeply concerning. Our identity is not something that requires disclosure.”

Ncanana said OUT LGBT Well-being will closely follow the investigation into the murder and called upon law enforcement officials to ensure there is justice for Hadebe.

“No one should be forced to reveal their true identity to appease someone else’s curiosity or assumptions,” said Mohale Motaung, a prominent LGBTQ activist. “Again, Clement Hadebe’s tragic story is a reminder that self-disclosure should always be a choice, not a condition for acceptance or safety.”

Although South Africa is the only African country that recognizes and upholds the rights of the LGBTQ community, many South Africans do not support it because of cultural and religious beliefs.

Several attacks against LGBTQ people — including hate crimes, rapes, and murders — in recent years have sparked widespread concern. These crimes have left some who identify as LGBTQ to be skeptical about to whom they disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa in May signed the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill into law. It, among other things, seeks to protect the rights of those who identify as LGBTQ and those who advocate for the community.

The new law, however, does not seem to be a deterrent, especially to those who do not support LGBTQ people as Hadebe’s murder and continued anti-gay political rhetoric prove. So-called conversion therapy also remains commonplace in the country, especially in semi-urban areas where anti-LGBTQ cultural beliefs are entrenched.

LGBTQ organizations in June celebrated Ramaphosa’s appointment of Steve Letsike, a lesbian woman who founded Access Chapter 2, an LGBTQ rights group, as the country’s Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. Letsike, a member of the African National Congress who is a member of parliament, has already vowed to ensure LGBTQ rights are upheld and respected in the same manner as other human rights.