The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape will request the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola, to investigate the recent death of Lazarus Ikaneng “Pankie” Thomas, from Galeshewe, Kimberley, following reports of alleged negligence on the part of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The DA visited with Thomas’ family yesterday to convey our sympathy on his passing. According to his relatives, his decomposed body was found on his bed last week, after a foul smell prompted his neighbours to inspect his shack.
The neigbours apparently informed the family that the shack was locked with a padlock from the outside, which they had to break to gain access to Thomas. Despite this indicating potential foul play, the police proceeded to register the death as being due to natural causes.
Thomas’s death has sparked concern amongst the LGBTQI+ community regarding safety issues. Their concerns, coupled with reports that the police failed to collect proper fingerprint evidence and neglected to cordon off the scene, is cause for concern.
I have written to Otola, asking that she urgently reviews this case and the way in which the police investigation was handled.
Thomas deserves justice in death, his family deserves closure and the greater LGBTQI+ community deserves the assurance that their community is safe from perpetrators of violent crimes.
