Pretoria – The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, has strongly condemned the brutal rape and murder of Dudu Zozo.
Zozo’s half naked body was found in Thokoza on Sunday morning. Her mother, Thuziwe Zozo, has said she suspects her daughter was killed for being a lesbian.
“We strongly condemn and will not tolerate any act of harassment, intimidation or violence against any member of society, especially women, children, people with disabilities, the lesbian and gay community,” Xingwana said.
The minister said South Africa was a democratic state with a Constitution, which respects the rights of all members of society without any form of discrimination.
She called on members of the community, who may have information on Zozo’s killing, to contact the police.
“At this stage, any information will assist the law enforcement agencies in their investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.”
Xingwana further condemned corrective rape and all forms of hate crimes, saying that government will not condone and tolerate it.
“Those that are practising such acts must know that they are committing crimes against humanity and once they are caught, they will be dealt with the harshness they deserve.”
The department has established the Council against Gender Based Violence, which represents civil society organisations, government and the private sector.
The council is responsible for the coordination of programmes to prevent gender based violence. It is also responsible for the 365 days campaign against gender based violence.
The council will be rolling out awareness campaigns, dialogues in communities to deal with behavioural and attitudinal problems that perpetuate these crimes.
Xingwana urged all sectors of society to work with the council. – SAnews.gov.za
