A 22-year-old man who was nearly beaten to death by two homophobic teen boys was shocked to receive an SMS from cops saying his case is thrown out.
Geno Jonkers says he got the message from the Kleinvlei SAPS on July 12, saying the senior state prosecutor at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court has dropped the matter without giving a reason.
“Your case is withdrawn by the SPP Blue Downs court, any enquiries contact Kleinvlei SAPS 021 902 8300,” the SMS read.
But thanks to the help of LGBTIQ rights group, The Triangle Project, the matter has been placed back on the court roll.
Geno, from Crawford, was visiting his uncle in Eerste River when he was dragged in the road, beaten in the face and his head smashed against a concrete fence.
While they moered him, his two attackers said: “ Maak die moffie vrek, maak die ding dood.”
A 15-year-old boy was arrested.
A week later, Geno’s cousin Wayne Jonkers, 30, from Wesbank visited the same uncle, and was also attacked, allegedly by the 15-year-old suspect and t jommies.
Wayne was pelted with stones and beaten up, and the teen suspect ‘threatened him with a gun’.
Geno, who’s receiving counselling at the Triangle Project following the assault, said he was shocked to receive the SMS.
“I was disappointed and then I just got angry. This is because I am gay. If I was not gay, I would not have received this kind of treatment. I decided not to let it go and asked for help from the Triangle Project,” he says.
Sharon Grumbles from The Triangle Project went with Geno to the Kleinvlei police station, where cops could not give them a reason why the matter was dropped.
Geno says: “After talking to the station commander, Captain Klein, he agreed to reopen the matter for investigation.”
Geno adds: “I am so grateful for the care and kindness I have received from Triangle Project. I feel I can lift my head and can now deal with all of this, knowing someone sees me.”
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila did not respond to queries.