Cabinet slams LGBTQI+ killings, bullying
Cabinet has condemned the increase in hate crimes across the country.
This comes after the death of at least six LGBTQI+ members since the beginning of the year.
This includes the brutal murder of Andile ‘Lulu’ Ntuthela in the Eastern Cape.
Ntuthela's body was dug up from a shallow grave at the home of Luvuyo Jonas.
It's understood the 40-year-old gay man fell victim to a hate crime.
Speaking at the post cabinet briefing on Thursday, acting minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni reiterated calls for the speedy prosecution of the perpetrators of hate crimes.
"Cabinet strongly condemned the recent rise of LGBTIQ+ hate crimes that resulted in the deaths of Andile Ntuthela, Siphamandla Khoza and Nathaniel Mbele.
"The Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 calls on us to respect the rights of all members of society without any form of discrimination," Ntshavheni added.
"These heinous crimes and acts of harassment have no place in our democracy and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all of us."
The LGBTQI+ community also wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak out and condemn the killing of gay people.
Several groups of affected LGBTQI+ communities have threatened to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria if Ramaphosa fails to address the matter.
Cabinet also slammed bullying incidents in schools after 15-year-old Lufuno Mavhunga was publicly bullied.
Mavhunga later committed suicide.
"Cabinet urged education stakeholders, including parents and guardians, to unite against bullying to create an environment that is conducive to learning.
“It is the responsibility of each one of us to speak up and report incidents of bullying to the relevant authorities, particularly where the victims are unable or afraid to do so."
ALSO READ:
