WATCH: Not in our name: Men march in solidarity for slain Likhona Fose

A dreary procession makes its way through the streets of Durban Deep, the beautiful, haunting voices of men declaring in song: ‘Stop what you are doing, don’t hurt our women and children’ echoes through the streets as curious residents along the road rush out of their homes to see what the fuss is all about.

“As the men of Durban Deep and Sol Plaatjie, we are marching today in solidarity with the family of the young girl who was murdered,” says Bafana Dube, chairperson of the local City of Johannesburg Men’s Chapter.

Fourteen-year-old Likhona Fose went missing on June 1 and was later discovered murdered in a small clearing in the veld in Hail Road, barely a kilometre from her home, her small body naked from the waist down and her private parts removed.

Also read: Roodepoort police search for killer after teen girl’s mutilated body found in veld

Police confirmed that an investigation into the murder is underway, but declined to release more information. They have called on any witnesses who have information which may be helpful in this case to come forward.

The march, held on June 4, got underway from West End Street near where Likhona lived with her family and wound its way through the neighbourhood.

The voices of the large group of men seemed to grow stronger with every step they took closer to the site where Likhona’s body was found by a passer-by, and by the time they reached the place, it was a deafening, outraged roar.

Watch video here: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSkPAxj4Y/

“We are the protectors of our women and children,” says Dube. “Why is it that they are scared of us? This is not right.

“We suspect this was a hate crime because Likhona was gay. As men, we need to ensure our women and girls can be who they are without fear.”

At the gruesome site, an eerie silence descended on the gathered men as one among them – he was there on the day – stepped forward and described in detail what he saw, the horror evident on many a face as he showed them the position in which she was found and outlined the various injuries to her little body.

The men held a solemn moment of silence for the slain little girl before heading back to continue their march through the streets, the singing once again slowly growing more powerful as they made their way up Plaatjie Street, back in the direction from which they came.

Watch video here: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSkPvws4L/

Suddenly, another roar rises in the air, followed by a group of women and girls chanting and singing loudly, waving placards as they approach from the opposite direction.

“This is to signify that they see and acknowledge us standing in solidarity with them,” says Dube once the noise dies down.

The procession wound its way through the streets toward the Fose house, picking up more participants as it moved along, and finally reached its destination, where the men formed into a long queue, taking turns to enter the modest house and pay their respects to the grieving family.