South Africa: Campaigner links man’s death to homophobic killings
A gay rights group believe a gang allegedly targeting gay men in Johannesburg may have started operating in South Africa’s capital, Cape Town.
Commenting on the recent death of Cape Town resident Graham Collop, the director of OUT, Dawie Nel, claimed it was similar to the deaths of eight men in Johannesburg.
“They usually target older men who meet or have met their partners online, which is why there is often no forced entry,” the director said.
“Very little is stolen and the majority of the victims have been strangled.”
IOL News reports homophobic criminals have been targeting wealthy gay men in Johannesburg – strangling them to death – having ransacked their homes and tied them up.
It is feared the gang’s activities could now have spread to Cape Town.
50-year-old Graham Collop was discovered at his home on Sunday 6 January, bound and apparently strangled.
Provincial police spokesman Captain FC Van Wyk said there was no link between Collop’s case and any other murders.
He said suspects had been identified but had not yet been arrested.
“The cause of death must still be determined,” he said.
