“A Bloody Gay Bashing” – Things Turn Nasty At Jozi Music Festival

It’s South Africa’s “most-loved bass music” festival, and over the weekend Grietfest held its seventh annual event.

But while many were euphoric after the night, Brandon Swanepoel was rushed off to hospital after being beaten for being gay.

Speaking to HuffPostSA, the 34-year-old hairdresser explained how the incident happened:

“My friend and I were just dancing on the dance floor. I don’t know at this stage if this guy [the alleged perpetrator] got upset by my friend and I showing affection, but we literally looked at him and then he crushed my nose, and knocked out my teeth.

“What was meant to be a night out with mates turned into a bloody gay bashing.

“I feel like my pride has been destroyed.”

He shared a picture of his injuries to Facebook, calling for anyone who could possibly identify the perpetrator:
The festival hasn’t stayed quiet, showing their support for Swanepoel on their own Facebook page, as well as launching “their own manhunt for the attackers”. One of the organisers of the festival, Dominique Gawlowski, explained how one of her friends died in the same way:

“A friend of mine died like this. He died on the spot. These little angry men, like this guy, who was probably really drunk, probably really angry, could’ve killed him. I don’t care what his problems are, but you can’t treat people like this. We are going to do everything we can to find these people.”

While no arrests have been made, Swanepoel said he is going to need reconstructive surgery for his face and extensive dental surgery.