THE LGBTQ+ community in Paarl has been left shattered after 17-year-old Justin Davids was brutally killed in an attack in Paarl East over the langnaweek.
Justin, a learner at L.K. Zeeman Academy, was a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and known as Justine Jameelia Evangelista.
Three suspects, aged 17, 18 and 20, have been arrested in connection with his murder. They appeared in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
According to police, Justin and his friends were walking through an open field in Paulus Street, Lantana, Paarl East, at about 1am on Sunday when they were allegedly attacked by three suspects. Justin was the only person who suffered fatal injuries.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the murder investigation.
Twigg vertel: “Paarl East police registered a murder case for investigation following a stabbing incident on an open field in Paulus Street, Lantana, Paarl, on Sunday morning, 9 August 2026, at about 1am, which claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy.”
Twigg wysed the circumstances surrounding the attack were still being investigated.
The yskoue moord has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger, with members of the community calling for justice and demanding that the accused be denied bail.
A petition has been launched calling on the court to consider the seriousness of the charges, community safety and the safety of LGBTQ+ and queer people in Paarl and surrounding areas.
Justin’s school also paid tribute to the teenager.
The school wrote on its Facebook page: “With heavy hearts, the L.K. Zeeman Academy family shares the deeply sad news of the passing of our beloved learner, Justin Davids.”
The school described Justin as someone whose “warm presence, bright spirit, and the quiet strength he carried” would be deeply missed.
Popular content creator and LGBTQ+ community member Lito Darling also spoke out, asking how many more people must be hurt or killed before LGBTQ+ people are treated with dignity.
The Paarl Darling wysed: “Why must we always fight for the right to exist safely. Enough is enough.
“We are not asking for special treatment. We ask for human dignity, safety, respect and justice.”
Darling ended with a message that has since been echoed across the community: “LGBTQI+ lewens maak saak. Wanneer gaan julle dit verstaan?”
Source: https://iol.co.za/capeargus/news/2026-08-11-three-youngsters-in-court-for-paarl-lgbtq-teens-brutal-murder/
