THE Ekurhuleni police pledged to make sure lesbian Duduzile Zozo's killers were put behind bars, but no arrests have been made.

Zozo (26) was found dead with a toilet brush lodged in her private parts in June.

This week, her best friend Bianca Laban claimed that a neighbour had confessed to the killing, but was not arrested. Laban said Thokoza police dismissed her when she went to report the alleged confession.

"We were sitting at a tavern about two weeks back when this guy came and told me he took part in Dudu's killing. He said he couldn't live with himself. He said Dudu is haunting him. He said he was not alone, but will not say who else was with him. He said this in front of a few of us. He even told Dudu's mom," Laban said.

She went to the police to pass on the information .

"The officer said to me that I'm trying to do the police's job and it was not my place. I told him this guy confessed and I was merely telling them what I heard. He said they needed proof. I was fed up and just walked out of there.

"All those government officials who also made a noise have never been back here. There's no hope for justice," Laban said.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said the investigation was continuing.

"Captain Mbeka is the investigating officer. He's been following up all the allegations and information about persons said to have been involved in the murder of Duduzile Zozo. Several people, including the person Bianca reported, have been questioned and at this stage they can't be linked to the murder."

Laban, who said she was gang-raped nearly five years ago by men she knows, said she had lost all hope. "I have received death threats. I receive anonymous phone calls from people telling me I'm next. I even gave my phone to the police, who did nothing with the information. Instead they tell me they can't trace those calls. There will never be justice in this rotten society."

Thapelo Moiloa, spokesman for the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, said his department tried to get the police to reopen Laban's case, but she refused. "She is apparently afraid because she sees these men every day. Police can't force her to open the case." He urged Laban to contact the department. "I'll take her to the provincial office and make sure she is heard and this matter investigated."

Zozo's mother, Thuziwe, could not be reached for comment.

somaya@sundayworld.co.za