Cape Town - Western Cape premier Helen Zille visited the family of a 19-year-old woman who was killed apparently because of her sexual orientation.
“The attack on Sihle (Sikoji) once again highlights the scourge of hate crimes against lesbian women, and LGBT people more broadly, that continues to ravage our communities, leaving devastated families in their wake,” Zille said in a statement.
“We must all stand against and seek to eradicate all hate crimes because they are violations of the constitutional rights to life, to dignity and to freedom which every person deserves.”
Zille said she spoke to Sikoji's grandmother Nomangesi and mother Ntombizanele on Saturday.
Western Cape were searching for four men after four women were attacked on Friday night.
“An argument ensued between them, whereby one of the women was fatally stabbed and another one slightly wounded,” Warrant Officer November Filander said.
“The suspects fled the scene on foot. A case of murder is being investigated.”
Luleki Sizwe, an organisation that supports lesbian, bisexual and transgender women, said Sikoji was stabbed because of her sexual orientation.
Zille said she also met with Luleki Sizwe founder and director, Ndumie Funda.
She applauded the organisation for the work they did defending the rights of lesbians and promoting equality. - Sapa