UPDATE/ Thapelo Makutle, South African Gay And Transgender Beauty Pageant Winner

[Shana A]

trigger warnings for violence

Thapelo Makutle, South African Gay And Transgender Beauty Pageant Winner, Killed In Alleged Hate Crime

Posted: 06/13/2012 1:58 pm Updated: 06/13/2012 2:02 pm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/thapelo-makutle-south-african-gay-transgender-pageant-winner-death_n_1593972.html

Mystery continues to swirl over the grisly death of a South African man who identified as both gay and transgender.

Mambaonline reports that Thapelo Makutle, who hailed from South Africa's remote Northern Cape province, was killed after getting into an argument with two unidentified men over his sexuality. He is described in that report as a 23-year-old man who identified as both gay and transgender, and who had recently won the Miss Gay pageant in the small town of Kuruman. In addition, Makutle also reportedly worked as a volunteer for LEGBO Northern Cape, a local gay advocacy group, and is also believed to have participated in the Kimberley Out In Africa Gay and Lesbian Festival.

"It's so sad. I can't describe the pain that we are feeling right now," Shaine Griqua, the Legbo Northern Cape director, told Mambaonline. Griqua, who serves as director of LEGBO Northern Cape, had previously described Makutle, who performed as a drag queen known as Queen Bling, as a "well-mannered and principled human being."

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Body of South African drag performer found mutilated in home
Thapelo Makutle, 23, was nearly decapitated in possible hate crime

By Erik Ortiz / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 9:52 PM

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/body-south-african-drag-performer-found-mutilated-home-article-1.1095284

A gay South African man who competed in beauty pageants as Queen Bling was "severely mutilated" in a gruesome killing that left him nearly beheaded, according to reports.

Thapelo Makutle, 23, may have been targeted because he was gay, reports said. He was found dead Friday in his apartment in rural Northern Cape province.

"There are no signs that this was an attempted burglary, rather (it) is evident that (he) was killed because of his sexual orientation," the LGBT group Legbo Northern Cape said in a statement. Makutle volunteered with the organization.

[SandraJane]

Man charged with murder of South African trans gay activist as anti-gay violence continues


by Dan Littauer | 26 June 2012, 7:13pm


www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/06/26/man-charged-with-murder-of-south-african-trans-gay-activist-as-anti-gay-violence-continues/



Thapelo Makutle is believed to have been killed on 8 June


A suspect in brutal murder of South African gay man Thapelo Makuthle has been charged. Activists say that anti-LGBT related crime and violence is on the rise.

A suspect in the brutal murder of Thapelo Makuthle is reported to have been charged. The suspect, named Sizwe Tajini, resides with his father in the village of Seoding, the same of the victim, near Kuruman, Northern Cape, South Africa.

Thapelo Makuthle, a gay man, was brutally murdered on 8 June, Kuruman, Northern Cape, his head almost severed from his body.

During a court hearing that was held today in Kuruman, Taijini was said to have admitted to carrying out the murder alone