Mmabatho “Madonnah” James’ naked lifeless body, was discovered in an open field along the M10 road, in Bloemfontein by a passer-by on Saturday, 30 November. Police told OFM News at the time, they suspected that she had been raped before her assailant bludgeoned her to death with a rock lying nearby

The Mayor of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Olly Mlamleli has in an interview with OFM News expressed her concern at the lack of arrests in the matter, especially in light of the fact that she was in fact last seen in the company of a male friend, the night prior to her body being discovered.

Mlamleli confirms, James was at the time of her death, living openly as a lesbian and was a known member of the ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI) community in the area. “It is unfortunate when women are killed in this manner, because they are women. Sometimes they are attacked because they are a member of the LGTBQI community” says Mlamleli. Police have been mum on allegations that the attack was a corrective rape incident.

James was among the slew of women who were killed during the 16 Day of Activism Against Gender Based Violence period. 

Meanwhile, a non-profit/non-government organisation advocating for the rights of the LGBTQI community in the province, Free State Rainbow Seeds, has revealed on Facebook that James was a bread winner in her family. The organisation rallied together to assist the family in burying James, two weeks after she was killed, calling for donations of food and money. Mlamleli says she handed over some money and committed to purchasing vegetables for the burial.

Social Development MEC in the province, Mamiki Qabathe also reportedly paid a visit to the deceased’s family.

OFM News