We the citizens and concerned organizations below, call upon the State to deny bail in Case number 38/03/2020. Collectively, we were outraged by another crime that was allegedly perpetrated against a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community in this area.

These are crimes taken seriously by the National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Justice, with a National and Provincial Task Team on Hate Crimes established in 2011 and with the Hate Crimes Bill currently before Parliament.

In order to begin addressing this issue, the South African Police need to be sensitive to the handling of crimes of hate against LGBTI persons, which has been the case in this matter and when these cases are reported and go to court, that justice must not only be done but also seen to be done

The release of the alleged accused will disturb residents, by undermining public peace and security. Should the accused in this case be released on bail, it will send a strong message to the community and to vulnerable groups that their lives do not matter and justice is not done or seen to be done.