Gay man killed in South Africa: Rights group

JOHANNESBURG - A young gay man was killed and his body mutilated in South Africa, according to a gay rights group that today called the killing a hate crime.

Mr Thapelo Makutle was found with his throat cut Saturday morning in a room he rented in Kuruman, a town in northwestern South Africa, police said in a statement. The motive of his death is unknown and the case is being investigated as a murder, police said.

However, Ms Jabu Pereira, the spokeswoman of the local gay rights group LEGBO, said today that the perpetrators did not steal anything from Mr Makutle and his body was mutilated in a way that indicates it was a hate crime, an extra charge that leads to greater punishment. Mr Makutle's body was found under a blanket with his throat cut and tongue removed, Ms Pereira said. His genitals were also cut off and put in his mouth, witnesses told Ms Pereira.

"The community is in a state of trauma, they are shocked," Ms Pereira said. "The community gathered last night and we just stood with the family."

Mr Makutle was a leader in the local gay community, Ms Pereira said. Among other things, she said, he organised the Miss Gay Kuruman pageant.

Mr Javu Baloyi, spokesman of the Commission for Gender Equality, condemned the killing.

"It was such a barbaric act," said Mr Baloyi, whose government agency promotes the rights of gays, lesbians and other South Africans.

South Africa's constitution bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, but gays here still face discrimination and violence.

The police report said he was 23, while a spokeswoman for the local gay rights group said Mr Makutle was 24.

A memorial service is planned for tomorrow afternoon in Kuruman. The local gay rights group is organising a protest before the service. AP

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