The DA Women’s Network (DAWN) condemns the horrific killings and attacks against members of the LGBTQIA+ community over the past few weeks across the country.South Africa’s Constitution was one of the first in the world to protect people from being discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. We are also the only African country to have legalised same-sex marriage.
Unfortunately, the increased incidents of hate crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community demonstrates that these protections are merely on paper, and that we still have a long way to go as a society when it comes to tolerance and acceptance of this community.
DAWN calls on all relevant government departments to urgently convene to formulate an emergency plan on hate crimes perpetrated against those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
DAWN will continue to monitor the progress made in this case and believes that the police should do more to ensure that those involved in Lonwabo’s killing face the full might of the law and that such incidents are attended to as a matter of urgency.
DAWN also welcomes the undertaking by the Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, that he will write to the GBV Desk at the Court Watching Brief Unit to request that they follow this and other similar cases which do not receive the necessary scrutiny and public focus they deserve. This shows commitment to confronting hate crimes head-on.
As the country commemorates Freedom Day tomorrow, DAWN will honour the lives of those who have senselessly lost their live due to violent crime. We will continue to create awareness around the safety of this community and encourage DA-led governments to persist in their efforts to prioritise the safety of women, children and LGBTQIA+ persons
