South Africa: Gays and lesbians feel forgotten by government

Source: Eyewitness News - Feb 13

Gay and lesbian rights groups accused law enforcement officials of not taking hate crimes against homosexuals seriously.

Rights campaigners held a demonstration outside Parliament on Friday February 12 to voice their concerns, chanting “Free Africa”.

They have questioned why it has taken almost four years for lesbian activist Zoliswa Nkonyana’s murderers to be brought to book. Her murder trial is still on-going in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.

Eight suspects have been arrested in connection with her murder, and the trial will resume in March.

The Coalition to End Discrimination’s Koketso Makofane said Nkonyana’s drawn out trial is a prime example of officials dragging their heels when dealing with hate crimes against homosexuals.

“I still get the sense that not enough is done. I don’t think enough people are sensitised to the fact that these murders are hate crimes,” he said.

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