police promise justice on murder of soweto lesbians

By Lesego Masike (BTM reporter)

July 13, 2007: The case against the culprits who murdered Sizakele Sigasa (34) and Salome Masooa (23) is being investigated and Captain Ellapen of Meadowlands police station who is in charge of the case is confident that they will be found.  

Captain Ellapen said this at a meeting held with the Joint Working Group (JWG) members, Dawn Cavanagh of the Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW) and Thuli Madi of Behind the Mask who organized the meeting to learn about the progress of the investigation.

According to Captain Ellapen, swabs used to collect evidence from the victims have been collected and sent to the laboratory on 10 July which would also determine whether there was any semen present on the victims’ bodies.

“We are still waiting for the forensic test results to conclude if the victims were raped or not”, said Ellapen.

The Joint Working Group and other organizations are intending to keep the public abreast with the investigations.

“We will have weekly updates on the progress that is made and we plan to mobilize for support from Human Rights organizations internationally and locally even if it means we have to campaign or petition for a speedy processing of the case”, said Cavanagh.

 “We will do our best to have an arrest as soon as possible”, Ellapen promised.

“We came out of the meeting feeling positive that justice will be served. For me personally that would be fulfilling, I feel that women or even human beings are not supposed to be violated, and this gruesome, senseless murder proves to be the worst”, Madi said.

A team of six police officers are currently working on the case, led by Captain Ellapen.

“We can always increase our man power if the need arises”, Ellapen concluded.

The police are calling for anyone who has information contact Captain Ellapen on 082 575 1882 or 011 983 3307.

Their confidentiality will be treated with high sensitivity.