Pretoria – A special task team has been set up to find information that will assist in tracking the perpetrator responsible for the killing of 26 year old 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.
In a statement, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said a task team had been established at the Thokoza Police Station comprising police officers, community policing forum members as well as members from the community.
Senior officials in the department, as well members of civil society who form part of the National Task Team established by Minister Jeff Radebe are mandated to develop urgent interventions to combat crimes against people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI), went to Thokoza on Wednesday to meet with police officials to establish the progress made in the investigation.
“The Station Commander assured officials that the case was being prioritised and that a senior detective officer had been appointed to investigate the case,” said the department.
The delegation also visited Zozo’s family and extended condolences on behalf of the department and the National Task Team. They assured the family that government was commitment to the fight against crime, including hate crimes.
Part of the work of the National Task Team involves urgently finalising a rapid response mechanism that will identify and track cases involving crimes committed against LGBTI persons.
The department said a meeting was planned for Friday with civil society organisations to identify the pending cases in the criminal justice system with the view to fast tracking the cases. It said the minister had instructed speedy resolution of these pending cases.
“The department wishes to reiterate the responsibility of every South African to act against perpetrators of violence within the ambit of the law. The department will continue to promote and protect the constitutionally guaranteed right to equality and dignity for all,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za
