Sunday Times, South Africa - Sunday, January 24, 1999
S'Thembiso Msomi
The small township of KwaMancinza, near KwaMashu, made headlines at the end of last year when a mob assaulted HIV-positive Gugu Dlamini after she announced her affliction. She later died in hospital as a result of her injuries.
The mob's behaviour drew sharp criticism from Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, and health workers and organisations.
Police have increased their presence in the area following rumours of an impending revenge attack by angry AIDS sufferers and their sympathisers.
A resident said some of the people alleged to have been in the tavern where Dlamini was attacked had already left the township. "Most are fleeing because of the rumours that her friends are planning to avenge her death. Things have not been the same since the attack. People are scared, there are all sorts of stories going around about who may be attacked."
A spokesman for the National Association of People Living With AIDS, Pat Hlongwane, said witnesses to Dlamini's death were also moving out of the area as they feared being attacked.
"It is very tense in the area. We have received reports from a number of witnesses who say they have moved out because of intimidation. We have also heard that the alleged perpetrators were also leaving, not because of the police, but because of allegations that people living with AIDS wanted to retaliate," he said.
Four juveniles arrested in connection with Dlamini's death were refused bail last week on the grounds that their lives would be in danger if they were released.
A police spokesman, Captain Percy Mthembu, said he had not received reports of witnesses being threatened.
"If that is happening, I appeal to those witnesses to tell us so we can arrange for their protection. We have a very strong case against the accused and we do not want to lose any of the witnesses," said Mthembu. He said investigations were at an advanced stage and they were expecting more arrests within the next few days.
Frustrated by the slow pace of police investigations, Dlamini's friends and fellow AIDS activists formed the Gugu Dlamini Action Alliance earlier this month to monitor the case's progress.
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