BELOVED BONTAS ACTIVIST 'KILLED'

THE death of a LGBTQ activist has sparked outrage in Bonteheuwel after his body was found on veldjie where vullis is dumped. 

Messages of shock and condolences were shared on social media for pageant queen, Linton Jutzen, aka Linda Sharapova.

Local ward councillor Angus McKenzie took to social media to issue a statement saying residents were shocked by Jutzen’s death and that he was fondly known by the community for his activism. 

He called for an end to gender-based violence.

He wrote: “It is with great sadness that I have learnt this morning of the gruesome murder of a well-known Bonteheuwel resident and activist for gay rights.

“Known for his bright pink hair, loved and respected by all, he was gruesomely murdered, placed in a garbage bin and rolled to an open field where the full bin was emptied.

“The motive behind the murder is unknown at this point, however, GBV must stop now.

“I am disgusted in the manner in which his life has ended and his body handled.

“These individuals must be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”

Meanwhile, police said they have yet to confirm the cause of death.

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said a post-mortem would determine what happened to Jutzen.

He says: “Bishop Lavis police registered an inquest for further investigation after the body of a 44-year-old man was found between a primary school and the tennis court in Bonteheuwel on Monday morning, 21 April 2025 at 9:10am.

“The victim had no visible injuries. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

“Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”

Jutzen’s friend, pageant queen and transgender woman, Chedino Rodrigues Martin, said they competed together in pageants.

Martin says: “I met Linda Sharapova about 20 years ago.

“We both entered a pageant for the first time and I remember how we were both nervous and that is how we started bonding and became friends. 

"At the end of the night we made it to the top three, Linda was second runner up and I won the pageant that night and that was the start of our friendship.

“My heart is broken into a million pieces.”