Cape Town:The National Task Team on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (NTT on SOGIESC) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing equality and protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals. This declaration was made during the recent Quarter 2 plenary meeting, led by Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister Andries Nel and Civil Society Organisations' Co-Chairperson Sibonelo Ncanana-Trower.
According to South African Government News Agency, the plenary expressed significant concern over the ongoing issues of gender-based violence and femicide, including recent murders of women. It highlighted the connections between misogyny, violent discrimination, femicide, and violence against LGBTIQ+ persons, emphasizing the necessity for a coordinated criminal justice response. This includes ensuring police visibility, thorough investigations, and effective prosecution of offenders.
Deputy Minister Nel reported that the draft Regulations under the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act, 2023, are currently under consideration by the Ministry. Once approved, these Regulations are to be submitted to Parliament for approval 60 days before being published in the Government Gazette, marking an essential step towards implementing the Act.
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) presented its Quarter 2 Case Register, which currently tracks 36 active priority hate-crime matters across the nation. Of these cases, 20 are under police investigation without arrests, while 16 are on court rolls. The crimes include 18 murder cases and seven involving rape. The RRT also raised issues about crimes involving kidnappings, robberies, and extortion facilitated through dating apps like Grindr.
A recent conviction in KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape, resulted in a 13-year imprisonment sentence for a murder case, reflecting some progress in the judicial process. To enhance coordination and address investigative delays, Deputy Minister of Police Dr. Polly Boshielo has pledged to support the NTT's efforts.
The NTT urged victims and communities to report hate-motivated violence promptly to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and, if suitable, notify Provincial Task Teams or the NTT Secretariat to enable case monitoring and support coordination.
The plenary noted advancements in strengthening provincial structures, with procedures finalized for PTTs to access funding and the completion of provincial civil society co-chair elections. The NTT welcomed the participation of the CRL Rights Commission and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and ratified the membership of three civil society organizations: Outright International, the South African Workplace Equality Index (SAWEI), and the MambaOnline Foundation.
The meeting also discussed emerging campaigns opposing sexual and reproductive health rights and gender equality, reaffirming the NTT's dedication to upholding South Africa's constitutional values of equality, dignity, and freedom in light of the upcoming Pan-African Conference on Family Values in May 2027.