We are shocked and saddened at PASSOP to learn of yet another murder motivated by homophobia this month. Phumeza Nkolonzi was murdered in her home in Khayelitsha on Saturday night by a gunman, in the presence of her grandmother and six-year old niece. The door was broken down by the man who proceeded to shoot Phumeza three times, killing her. Members of the LGBTI community in Cape Town met on Tuesday at a private location to mourn Phumeza and discuss ways to end homophobic hate crime in South Africa. Despite the protections afforded by the South African constitution, instances like this go to show that for many members of the LGBTI community here, violence and discrimination are a continual concern, and many live in fear for their lives. Such violations of human rights are abhorrent, and a stand must be taken against those who perpetrate hate crimes in South Africa. The PASSOP LGBTI campaign extend their condolences to Phumeza’s family and solidarity to all those working towards a free and tolerant South Africa for all.

We invite all to join us in protest on the 7th of July at Parliament against hate crimes in South Africa, and the banning of LGBTI NGOs in Uganda. We call upon the South African government to put pressure on Uganda to reverse this legislation.