The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has strongly condemned the hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, after a lesbian woman was murdered in Khayelitsha on Sunday, May 2.
As reported by IOL, 24-year-old Phelokazi Ndlwana was allegedly attacked in Site C in the early hours of Sunday morning because she lived openly as a lesbian. This comes just a day after another victim of a similar hate crime was laid to rest in Nyanga on Saturday, May 1.
DA Spokesperson on Community Safety, Reagen Allen indicated that it has been reported that in the Western Cape, along with other provinces such as Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, six individuals of the LGBTQ+ community have been murdered over the last two months. According to Allen, it is unfortunate that hate crimes have not been defined through the legislation yet. “As legislators, we must do more to see such legislation through and to prevent these horrific crimes in our society. Without this in place, we fail to send a strong signal of support to sexual minorities, fail to institutionalise special support to victims via the police and criminal justice system, ” Allen said. Allen added that he will enquire through the provincial Department of Community Safety to SAPS if there has been a notable spike in specific areas over recent periods.
The Gay and Lesbian network paid tribute on Facebook to the murdered woman, The South African reported.
As we begin the month of May it is very unfortunate that we are still dealing with more hate crimes as another Queer…
Posted by Gay & Lesbian Network on Monday, May 3, 2021
Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man was arrested for the alleged murder of Ndlwana.
Picture: Cape Town Etc gallery
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