Media Statement

National Task Team on SOGIESC strengthens Case Oversight and condemns Gender-Based Violence

25 September 2026

PRETORIA – The National Task Team on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (NTT on SOGIESC) held its Quarter 2 plenary meeting on 22 September 2026. The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel, and the Civil Society Organisations' (CSO) Co-Chair, Mx Sibonelo Ncanana-Trower.

The plenary reaffirmed its mandate to advance equality, strengthen institutional responses and protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons.

The NTT expressed deep concern about the continuing incidence of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), including the recent murders of women. The meeting noted the links between misogyny, violent discrimination, femicide and violence directed at LGBTIQ+ persons, and stressed the need for an effective and coordinated criminal justice response, including appropriate police visibility, thorough investigation and effective prosecution.

On legislation, the Deputy Minister reported that the draft Regulations under the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act, 2023, have been received by the Ministry and are under consideration. Once approved, the Regulations must, as provided for in the Act, be submitted to Parliament for approval 60 days before publication in the Gazette. Their finalisation is an important step towards enabling the Act to come into operation.

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) tabled its Quarter 2 Case Register. It is currently tracking 36 active priority hate-crime matters nationally: 20 cases under police investigation in which no arrest has yet been made, and 16 cases enrolled on court rolls. Murder accounts for 18 of the active matters and rape for seven. The RRT also raised concern about cases involving kidnappings, robberies and extortion facilitated

through dating applications, including so-called "Grindr cases". The meeting further noted a recent conviction in a murder case in KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape, in which a sentence of 13 years' imprisonment was imposed.

To strengthen coordination with the police and assist in addressing delayed investigations, Deputy Minister Nel welcomed the commitment by the Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, to participate in the work of the NTT.

The NTT encouraged victims and communities to report hate-motivated violence promptly to the SAPS and, where appropriate, to bring matters to the attention of Provincial Task Teams (PTTs) or the NTT Secretariat so that cases can be monitored and relevant support can be coordinated.

The NTT also noted progress in strengthening provincial structures. The Secretariat has finalised procedures for PTTs to access earmarked funding and has concluded the provincial civil society co-chair election processes.

The plenary welcomed the participation of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). It also ratified the admission of three civil society organisations as members of the NTT: Outright International, the South African Workplace Equality Index (SAWEI) and the MambaOnline Foundation.

The meeting also discussed emerging continental and international campaigns opposing sexual and reproductive health rights, gender equality and the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons. It noted civil society mobilisation ahead of the scheduled Pan-African Conference on Family Values in May 2027 and reaffirmed the NTT's commitment to defend, consolidate and advance South Africa's constitutional values of equality, dignity and freedom.