OUT LGBT Well-being is appalled by the murder of Clement Hadebe, a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, as well as the queerphobic victim-blaming sensationalism surrounding their death.
Police have confirmed that Clement, from KwaZulu-Natal, was shot multiple times in Johannesburg on 10 August, but have provided few other details.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the 20-something-year-old may have been murdered by a man they met the previous night. Allegedly, the two later went to a Bed and Breakfast, where Clement was subsequently killed.
Media reports and numerous social media comments have insinuated that Clement was somehow “to blame” for their death, allegedly for “deceiving” the suspect, who may have believed they were a cisgender woman.
In some instances, social media users have even justified the suspect’s actions as a reasonable response to discovering Clement’s gender identity or sexuality.
“Victim-blaming is never acceptable,” says Sibonelo Ncanana, OUT LGBT Well-being’s Civil Society Engagement Officer. “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.”
Tragically, LGBTIQ+ individuals face discrimination and violence not only when they come out to others but also when they choose not to disclose and are then accused of deception.
“In Clement’s case, much of what has been reported is speculative,” adds Ncanana. “But even if the suspect was initially unaware that Clement was an LGBTIQ+ individual, this can never be any justification for violence. Clement did nothing wrong by being their authentic self.”
OUT urges the public and the media to stop perpetuating victim-blaming narratives about Clement’s murder. Instead, we should be condemning this suspected hate crime and the pervasive queerphobia in our society that underpins such horrific acts.
OUT further extends its condolences to Clement’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. We will closely follow the investigation into their murder and call on the authorities to ensure that there is justice for Clement.