Yaya Mavundla: From Activism to Arrest! A Courageous Voice Silenced?

Yaya Mavundla, a well-known transgender activist, artist, and influencer, faced a scary incident recently during the 16 Days of Activism against Violence towards Women and Children.

Yaya explained that she was attacked by security guards where she lives in Houghton. She called the police to report the incident and open a case. However, things took an unexpected turn. The police spoke to the person responsible and suggested resolving the matter verbally instead of through legal action. Yaya disagreed and insisted on pressing charges. Surprisingly, she ended up being arrested along with the person who attacked her.

During her time at the police station, Yaya experienced misgendering, abuse, homophobia, and other forms of hatred. This distressing experience highlighted the fear many victims face, preventing them from speaking out due to potential intimidation.

Yaya emphasized the importance of sharing her story to shed light on the challenges victims endure. She expressed concern for her safety and recounted the denial of medical attention when she requested it in the prison holding cells. Despite visible scars from the assault, Yaya faced more hostility, including transphobia and misgendering, when she appeared in court. As of now, the police have not provided any comments on the matter.