DA calls for public education campaign on LGBTI rights following brutal murder of Disebo Makau 

18 August 2014

The DA will request a debate on the protection and strengthening of LGBTI rights when Parliament reconvenes this week. 

During the debate, the DA will call for the roll-out of a nationwide public education campaign on LGBTI rights driven by the Departments of Education, Social Development, Police and Justice.

This follows the brutal murder and rape of a lesbian woman, Disebo Makau, in Ventersdorp, North West in what is believed to have been a hate crime.

According to media reports, Makau was found dead on Friday with a wire around her neck and hose pipe shoved down her throat and into her stomach. It is alleged that Makau was murdered and raped by a 24-year old man who has since been arrested. 

The DA sends its deepest condolences to Makau's friends and family during this difficult time. 

It is absolutely horrifying that members of South Africa's LGBTI community have to live and love in fear.

Sadly, the government is not doing nearly enough to protect LGBTI rights, and rid South Africa of homophobia. 

While South Africa was the first country in the world to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, this does not always translate into the lives of members of the LGBTI community. Amnesty International recently found that the levels of violence and threats of violence against LGBTI people are persistently high, particularly against those living in townships and rural areas.

The first step in tackling homophobia is a public education campaign to deal with the ignorance and deep-seated prejudices related to homosexuality. 

The DA will see to it that such a campaign bears fruition. 

Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme, DA National Spokesperson, August 18 2014

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