"Charges against one of the five men accused of raping and killing Banyana Banyana soccer player Eudy Simelane have been withdrawn in the Springs Regional Court today. Lack of evidence against the 24-year-old was cited as a reason… The trial is expected to start on February 11 next year, and the three men, who cannot be named because they have not pleaded, will be facing charges of murder with aggravating circumstances, two charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and rape." Prosecutors and activist claim the alleged killers targeting Simelane because she was a lesbian. [The Times]

"The trial of the five men accused of the hate crime murder of former [South African] soccer player Eudy Simelane has been postponed for the fourth time… The trial was postponed until September 1 by Judge Betty Lesufi at the Springs Magistrate's Court to give the state more time to compile its case against the men who have remained in custody… It is believed that she was targeted because she was a lesbian." [Mamba]

Citing rising crime rates, gay activists in South Africa are protesting plans to offer bail to the alleged killers of lesbian soccer player Eudy Simelane (pictured). Said members of the End Hate campaign: "[We are particularly] angered that lesbian and bisexual women living in townships and rural communities are victims of curative rape, homophobia and sexual abuse by heterosexual men who exert power over the vulnerable." [Mamba]

Five men appeared in South African court this week for their alleged role in the murder of lesbian soccer player Eudy Simelane. One of the men, who had been seen with Simelane earlier in the night, said he has a confession, but has yet to give it up. Activist Vanessa Ludwig of the Triangle Project lamented Simelane's death, but also looked at the larger picture: "Black lesbians are still marginalized and victimized by heterosexual men who claim exclusive rights to women’s bodies.Our fight and activism to eradicate homophobia and prejudice from society has only just begun!" [Mamba]

Five men have been arrested for allegedly raping and murdering South African soccer lesbian Eudy Simelane. This murder comes after a long line of anti-lesbian murders in recent years, lending even more credence to activists' worries: the most progressive African nation has done little to fight for the lavender set. [Mamba]