Cops have arrested a 17-year-old boy for the murder of the gay man who was killed while celebrating his birthday in Nyanga.
Lonwabo Jack, 22, was out with his friends on Saturday and his half naked body was found the following morning with a stab wound to his heart on Pula Road in Mau Mau.
The teen was reportedly the last person seen with the deceased.
His picture had been posted on Facebook groups by angry community members who are seeking justice for the victim.
Jack’s murder has been labelled by the Nyanga East community as a hate crime as they believe he was killed for being gay.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana says the police searched townships for the suspect and finally found him kilometres away from the murder scene in Eerste River.
“After a search that took the Nyanga detectives from location to location, the suspect was apprehended early this morning in the Eerste River area.
“He is expected to appear in Athlone Magistrates’ Court once he has been charged for murder.
“The dedication by members attached to Nyanga detectives led to the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect for the murder of 22-year-old Lonwabo Jack.”
Reacting to the arrest, Justice for Lonwabo Jack activist Thulani Pike says they applaud the police for the swift action.
“We pray that the process ends with a conviction. We plead with the police and justice officials to do their job correctly and diligently.”
Lonwabo’s uncle Monwabisi Jack, 57, adds: “We are happy to hear that the police have finally made an arrest. This means they are taking this matter seriously.”