South Africa is very much considered to be one of the most progressive countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country boasts a developed economy, and has a modern constitution that incorporates equal rights for everyone including a section that prohibits discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens - arguably, the most Westernised country in Africa with an abundance of gay bars and clubs it appears that South Africa is one of the most 'gay friendly' countries in the continent.

But underneath the polished exterior of theoretical equality still remains a predominantly homophobic society - and the harsh realities of a brutal and violent sub culture of corrective rapes and hate crimes against lesbians.

The concept of homosexuality in the continent is still seen as taboo; as it is often viewed as 'unnatural' or 'un-African' and in some places, it is considered to be a 'condition' that comes from and is encouraged by the West.

In order to help heal their condition there has been a rapid rise in the region in the practice of "corrective" rape i.e. men raping women who have come out or are suspected as lesbians, all in an effort to "cure" them.

However the attacks only surfaced to public attention in April last year after the vicious attack, rape and murder of Eudy Simelane, former star of South Africa's national female football squad - and equal rights activist.

Miss Simelane was one of the very first women to live openly as a lesbian; she was gang-raped and brutally beaten before being stabbed 25 times in the face, chest and legs.

Human rights and equality campaigners are hoping that the public outrage and appall at Miss Simelane's death; and the July trial of the three men accused of her rape and murder will raise international awareness of about the out of control issue. A statement released by South Africa's national prosecuting authority said: "While hate crimes – especially of a sexual nature – are rife, it is not something that the South African government has prioritized as a specific project."

A report by the international NGO Action Aid and the South African Human Rights Commission, said the shocking crimes against lesbians are going unrecognized by the state and unpunished by the legal system.

The report called for South Africa's criminal justice system to recognize the rapes as hate crimes in order to force police to take action to put a stop to the violence immediately.

Research showing 86 per cent of black lesbians from the Western Cape that  live in fear of sexual assault, but still there have been no legislations passed to directly rectify the problem. This means that these shocking figures are expected to rise even higher and with 31 women already dead from these hate crimes it begs the question - how can you cure the dead?