The voice of a talented young transwoman, Motlhatlhedi ‘Gustav’ Modise (31) was tragically silenced by a fatal stabbing in Tshing on Sunday.
Gustav, a Potchefstroom Dischem employee, was coming back from a tavern when he was murdered a few metres from his home, according to his aunt, Dikeledi Modise.
Col Adéle Myburgh, the NW police spokesperson, says the Ventersdorp police were called out to the scene in Khumalo Street at about 21:10. Upon their arrival, they found Modise had been stabbed with a sharp instrument. They called the emergency medical and rescue services, which declared the victim dead on the scene. She said the police are investigating a murder case but no one has been arrested yet.
Gustav’s other relatives, Salaminah and Philemon Modise say he had told them that he wanted to go out to a nearby local tavern that night.
He left his phone at home to recharge and nothing was taken from him. They believe the suspects may have followed him home.
Dikeledi described Gustav as a loving, peaceful person who was full of jokes and popular for his singing talent.
‘Our family is heartbroken. We still cannot believe he is gone,’ she said, fighting back the tears.
The chairperson of Action For Social Justice International, Thabiso Tsotetsi has condemned the killing of another member of the LGBTI (lesbian women, gay men, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community.
‘It has only been three years since the horrific murder of a lesbian, Disebo Gift Makau, in Ventersdorp. The world witnessed the horror of homophobia towards the LGBTI community. Disebo’s case is one of many reported cases of homophobia in South Africa. Her body was found half-naked with a hosepipe stuck down her throat and the tap left running. Now, we must witness, yet again, the brutal murder of Motlhatlhedi in the same town,’ he said.
