Pretoria – Acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams has urged communities to respect individuals’ right to life and respect everyone’s dignity.
“Every citizen has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” she said.
This comes after media reported that a gay person was assaulted in a township near Cape Town.
“As government we are committed to fight all forms of crime, including violence against gay and lesbian people,” she said, adding that the South African Police Service was currently investigating the case and that justice shall prevail.
Government condemns in the strongest terms possible and reiterates its commitment to fight all forms of hate crimes perpetrated against lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and inter-sex people in South Africa.
South Africa has taken many strides away from its past of exclusion and discrimination on the basis of sex, colour and creed.
“The country is steadily moving forward in a direction that reasserts our humanity. A new culture for the respect of human rights and dignity has characterised South Africa and its people,” Williams said.
She called on communities to work together with government in combating all forms of crimes.
“During this Freedom Month, let us work together to preserve and promote human dignity and the rights of others. Working together we can do more to build a safe and socially cohesive society,” Williams said. – SAnews.gov.za
