Online Reporter
Nothando Zondo, Sunday News Reporter
Mxolisi Chili’s close relatives are expressing deep concern for his safety and whereabouts after he vanished following a series of violent attacks in Neta village, Mberengwa, Midlands province.
The troubling incidents stemmed from accusations that Mxolisi and his wife, Mildred Moyo, were harboring Mildred’s late sister’s child (nephew), Progress Moyo also known as Amen, who was identified as gay.
The family started staying with Progress ever since he was 11 years old and only found out he was gay when he was 27 years old.
The first attack occurred on February 25, 2022, when a mob descended upon the family at their home, incited by anger toward Progress, whom they accused of engaging in a “taboo act” after it was discovered he was gay.
The situation escalated on March 4, when Mxolisi was targeted once again, suffering severe injuries.
A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their fears, stating, “We are extremely worried about Mxolisi and his family’s safety. After everything they have been through, we have lost contact with them, and we don’t know where they are. The brutality of these attacks has left us all in shock, and we are praying for their well-being
The community’s violent response to the situation has raised serious concerns about mob justice and the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in the area, highlighting the urgent need for support and protection for those targeted by such discrimination. As the search for Mxolisi, his wife, children and nephew, continues, his family hopes for a swift resolution and the safe return of their loved ones.
They further added, “We fear for their lives. Mxolisi is a good man, and he doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.”
The relative continued to express their distress, saying, “It’s heartbreaking to see how the community has turned against them. They were just trying to help a child, and now they are the ones being hunted. We never thought something like this could happen in our village.”
