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To: Andries Nel (MP), Chairperson of the National LGBTI+ Task Team (NTT) 2023–2027 and Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Hold the NTT Accountable: Justice for LGBTI+ Survivors of GBVF Now!
South Africa ranks among the most dangerous countries in the world for women, children, and LGBTI+ individuals, with femicide rates that are among the highest globally [1].Although the South African Constitution prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation ,the lived experiences of LGBTI+ survivors are often overlooked in public reporting, policy responses, police efforts, and national gender-based violence (GBV) support systems.
This issue is reflected in South Africa’s national police statistics for 2023/2024, which do not account for sexual violence against LGBTI+ individuals, despite there being over 42,000 reported rapes [2].The provincial data further underscores this concern: in Mpumalanga, 837 rape cases were recorded between October and December 2024, revealing a troubling increase in reported rapes, yet no mention is made of LGBTI+ survivors[3].
This exclusion is deeply rooted in South Africa's long history of colonialism, apartheid, and patriarchy, which have created systemic barriers, particularly in townships and rural areas[5]. LGBTI+ survivors frequently encounter hostile police environments, outdated policies, and a lack of inclusive support[6]. This situation exacerbates the intersectional risks of discrimination, stigma, and economic marginalization, especially for LGBTI+ asylum seekers, refugees, and sex workers, who remain highly vulnerable to violence[4].
These systemic failures necessitate urgent action to ensure that LGBTI+ GBV survivors receive justice and protection. The NTT on SOGIESC must address these gaps with transparency and accountability.
We call on the NTT on SOGIESC to demonstrate public accountability by making its work and progress visible to the South African public.The NTT must provide a comprehensive budget breakdown detailing allocations for police training, survivor support, and monitoring. It must also disclose training details per province, including locations, curricula, facilitators, and outcomes.
This issue is reflected in South Africa’s national police statistics for 2023/2024, which do not account for sexual violence against LGBTI+ individuals, despite there being over 42,000 reported rapes [2].The provincial data further underscores this concern: in Mpumalanga, 837 rape cases were recorded between October and December 2024, revealing a troubling increase in reported rapes, yet no mention is made of LGBTI+ survivors[3].
This exclusion is deeply rooted in South Africa's long history of colonialism, apartheid, and patriarchy, which have created systemic barriers, particularly in townships and rural areas[5]. LGBTI+ survivors frequently encounter hostile police environments, outdated policies, and a lack of inclusive support[6]. This situation exacerbates the intersectional risks of discrimination, stigma, and economic marginalization, especially for LGBTI+ asylum seekers, refugees, and sex workers, who remain highly vulnerable to violence[4].
These systemic failures necessitate urgent action to ensure that LGBTI+ GBV survivors receive justice and protection. The NTT on SOGIESC must address these gaps with transparency and accountability.
We call on the NTT on SOGIESC to demonstrate public accountability by making its work and progress visible to the South African public.The NTT must provide a comprehensive budget breakdown detailing allocations for police training, survivor support, and monitoring. It must also disclose training details per province, including locations, curricula, facilitators, and outcomes.
Visibility should lead to accountability, and accountability should lead to justice!
Why is this important?
For decades, Black LGBTI+ communities have raised concerns about targeted violence and hate crimes, prompting national interventions aimed at addressing the crisis. Yet, many LGBTI+ individuals in South Africa, continue to face stigma, discrimination, and systemic exclusion.
In 2011, civil society organisations demanded urgent action following a sharp rise in hate crimes. In response, the Department of Justice established the first National LGBTI+ Working Group. Its responsibilities included improving justice responses, sensitising police to LGBTI+ rights, monitoring hate crimes, and supporting survivors. However, the Working Group struggled to implement its mandate effectively. Violence and discrimination against LGBTI+ individuals persisted, leading civil society to call for better implementation, accountability, and enhanced prevention strategies [5].
These ongoing challenges led to the creation of the NTT on SOGIESC in 2023, which has a more coordinated mandate aligned with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP GBVF)[6]. The Task Team’s core responsibilities include coordinating provincial task teams, monitoring hate crime cases through the Rapid Response Team (RRT), training the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other departments on LGBTI+ inclusion, and collaborating with civil society to support survivors and develop prevention strategies. However, the lack of public reporting renders implementation invisible, reducing both accountability and public confidence in the NTT's work.While the NTT’s activities are documented in the Annual Report on the Implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the 2023/2024 report provides minimal detail, noting only three SOGIESC-related training sessions for 76 officials, with no information on budget, meeting frequency, or hate crime monitoring outcomes, underscoring the need for comprehensive public disclosure[7].
These ongoing challenges led to the creation of the NTT on SOGIESC in 2023, which has a more coordinated mandate aligned with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP GBVF)[6]. The Task Team’s core responsibilities include coordinating provincial task teams, monitoring hate crime cases through the Rapid Response Team (RRT), training the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other departments on LGBTI+ inclusion, and collaborating with civil society to support survivors and develop prevention strategies. However, the lack of public reporting renders implementation invisible, reducing both accountability and public confidence in the NTT's work.While the NTT’s activities are documented in the Annual Report on the Implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the 2023/2024 report provides minimal detail, noting only three SOGIESC-related training sessions for 76 officials, with no information on budget, meeting frequency, or hate crime monitoring outcomes, underscoring the need for comprehensive public disclosure[7].
Additionally, the civil society co-chair position has been vacant since Steve Letsike left in 2024 to serve as Deputy Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities. The absence of this key leadership role restricts civil society's ability to influence the agenda, enhance accountability, and ensure that grassroots perspectives are included in informed decision-making. We demand that the National Task Team urgently appoint a civil society co-chair, as this role is essential for responsive, transparent, and community-informed leadership[8].
Furthermore, we call on the National Task Team to expand its mandate to address same-sex intimate partner violence, which continues to be excluded from national GBV frameworks. While it is critical to prioritise hate crimes, survivors of intimate partner violence must not be overlooked. According to a 2022 study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), an estimated 25% of LGBTI+ individuals experience intimate partner violence annually[9]. Their experiences also need to be recognised, addressed, and supported through inclusive interventions. This exclusion only worsens stigma, silencing, and marginalisation, preventing the development of inclusive, trauma-informed responses that cater to LGBTI+ realities.
Furthermore, we call on the National Task Team to expand its mandate to address same-sex intimate partner violence, which continues to be excluded from national GBV frameworks. While it is critical to prioritise hate crimes, survivors of intimate partner violence must not be overlooked. According to a 2022 study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), an estimated 25% of LGBTI+ individuals experience intimate partner violence annually[9]. Their experiences also need to be recognised, addressed, and supported through inclusive interventions. This exclusion only worsens stigma, silencing, and marginalisation, preventing the development of inclusive, trauma-informed responses that cater to LGBTI+ realities.
With LGBTI+ GBVF survivors still awaiting justice and recognition, the signing of the Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill marked a significant step forward for LGBTI+ civil society[10]. This bill establishes a legal framework for recognising and prosecuting hate crimes. We urge the National Task Team to ensure that this momentum translates into meaningful action by developing clear implementation guidelines, supporting provincial readiness, and ensuring the law leads to actionable change.
⚠️ The urgent need for enforcement of the Bill is underscored by the recent homophobic attack on Qhawe Ndabeni, a young, openly gay man from Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape. In April 2025, Ndabeni was brutally beaten, kidnapped, and thrown from a moving vehicle. The local advocacy group iZibuko Zethu condemned the attack and called on SAPS to open a case and conduct a full investigation. To date, no investigation has been initiated, and no arrests have been made. According to an anonymous activist from OUT LGBT, “The same individuals and vehicle involved in Ndabeni’s attack are also linked to another homophobic assault in the same community.” These ongoing threats to LGBTI+ safety highlight persistent gaps in justice, accountability, and local response mechanisms[4].
🗓️ As the NTT on SOGIESC prepares for its next review meeting in just two weeks, we must act now!
We must act now!
This is our opportunity to demand accountability and transparency, ensuring that the NTT delivers tangible results rather than merely reiterating commitments without action or implementation. LGBTI+ voices must not only be included but centred in GBVF interventions in our communities, townships, rural areas, and national strategies.
This is our opportunity to demand accountability and transparency, ensuring that the NTT delivers tangible results rather than merely reiterating commitments without action or implementation. LGBTI+ voices must not only be included but centred in GBVF interventions in our communities, townships, rural areas, and national strategies.
✅ Take Action Now!
As we close International Pride Month, it’s time to shift from visibility to accountability.
📅 The NTT Committee meets again in September 2025 to evaluate provincial implementation of the NSP GBVF
✍️ Sign the petition today: Click here to add your voice.
📢 Demand justice, care, and visibility for LGBTI+ survivors
📱 Tag @DOJCD_ZA using:
#JusticeForAllLGBTIQSurvivors
#WhereIsTheNTT
#NTTActNow
Every click counts. Let’s push the NTT to act before they sit again in September.