THE devastated family of a slain lesbian has slammed the police for dragging their feet in finding the perpetrators.
Tankisho Tawanyana (34) was raped and burnt at Roodepan in Kimberley, Northern Cape on Friday night, 7 October.
Her leg was found buried in a yard not far from where her mutilated body with critical burn wounds was lying.
The gruesome murder occurred at a squatter camp called Lethabo Park.
She was allegedly visiting her girlfriend in the area when three unknown men attacked her on that fateful night.
She was violently raped and set alight with paraffin. She was found the following day and taken to hospital, where she unfortunately succumbed from her injuries.
Family representative Gaopalelwe Tawanyana, who is Tankisho’s brother, said the police were doing absolutely nothing to arrest the suspects.
“We are still shocked, hurt and devastated. We need justice to prevail. This is a high profile case which needs to be prioritised. But Northern Cape police are dragging their feet. Police are going up and down with state vehicles, doing nothing to find those heartless and evil perpetrators. My sister was killed like a dog.
“We lost trust in the police officers. We call on Police Minister Bheki Cele to deploy the Hawks for further investigations,” he said.
LGBTI+ activist Poloko Mokoena said: “I can confirm without fear that gays and lesbians are not enjoying the fruit of democracy of this country. Her death was influenced by the hatred of LGBTI+ in our community. We call on the police to launch a joint campaign to find those criminals.”
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A murder and rape case have been registered at Galeshewe cop shop.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the matter was under investigation.
“We understand what the family is going through and we sympathise with them. But we humbly request them to allow the investigation to be finalised.”
Tankisho was buried on 15 October.
