LGBTQI+ GROUP CALLS FOR THE HATE BILL TO BE SIGNED.
Speaking on the sidelines of Sam Mbatha’s murder trial, who was brutally slayed in Mabopa e. LGBTQI+ advocacy group Iranti has called for the Hate Crimes Bill to be urgently signed into law. The organisation said the bill will assist courts when it comes to homophobic murders. The case was postponed to 26 September, in the North West High Court, sitting in Ga-Rankuwa.
Mbatha’s murder shocked the nation after his remains were found in a burnt-out car in Klipgat, just 40km from Pretoria. Four men were arrested for the murder. But before the trial could get underway, charges were withdrawn against one of the men, due to a lack of evidence.
Police said the men were found with the murder weapon – a bloodied axe.Iranti acting program manager, Nomsa Manzini, said the queer community is suffering and the justice system is simply not providing the necessary support to protect LGBTQI+ members.
