MambaOnline publishes a monthly overview of reported LGBTIQ+ rights violations in South Africa, including hate speech, hate crimes and other forms of discrimination.
We also track the progress of cases through the criminal justice system and highlight key human rights developments.
Below is our summary for November 2025.
Grindr Gang Trial Resumes With Emotional Testimony
The long-running “Grindr Gang” trial resumed in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court in November, with MambaOnline attending proceedings. The seven accused face charges of kidnapping, extortion, attempted murder and theft linked to the abduction of a university student in September 2023, after they allegedly lured him under false pretences.
Two witnesses, the victim’s cousin and a family friend, testified about their experiences. One told the court that during a court appearance in September 2023, she noticed one of the accused wearing the victim’s jacket. The court also heard how the alleged kidnappers harassed the family using multiple phone numbers, demanding money and threatening to kill the victim if their demands were not met.
The survivor, who has chosen not to be named, also took the stand in November. He described the ordeal, which left him hospitalised for two months. He identified two of the accused as among his captors, explaining that he had been blindfolded at times and could not see all of them. He also confirmed that a jacket recovered from one of the suspects was the one he wore on the night of the kidnapping. During hours of cross-examination, the defence responded by vigorously questioning his ability to remember and identify his attackers. The court adjourned the trial to February 2026, when expert witnesses and video evidence are expected.
Nine Months Without Justice in Imam Muhsin Hendricks Assassination
November marked nine months since the assassination of renowned gay imam Muhsin Hendricks, who was shot dead in broad daylight on 15 February 2025 in Nelson Mandela Bay. Despite international condemnation and a statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa, authorities have yet to provide any public update on the investigation and no suspects have been identified or arrested.
The Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, which Hendricks founded to support queer Muslims, confirmed that it wrote to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in October and again in November requesting an update. At the time of writing, it had received no response. The Department of Justice and the National Task Team on SOGIESC have also declined to publicly outline steps taken to ensure accountability.
Victory for Johannesburg Transgender Prisoner Who Wins Right to Hormone Therapy
A transgender woman serving a life sentence at Johannesburg Central Prison secured a landmark victory in the Equality Court. The court ruled that the Department of Correctional Services must provide her with state-funded hormone replacement therapy and respect her gender identity.
Judge Denise Fisher found that denying Nthabiseng Mokoena gender-affirming healthcare, appropriate accommodation and the use of her chosen pronouns amounted to unfair discrimination. She ruled that “adequate healthcare” for prisoners includes treatment for gender dysphoria. The court also ordered the department to allow Mokoena to wear clothing expressing her gender identity and to house her in a single cell or with other transgender prisoners. The ruling highlighted systemic failures to implement existing protections and marked a significant advance for transgender rights within South Africa’s correctional system.
School Bullying: Calls for Better Protection of LGBTIQ+ Youth
A report published by ILGA World revealed that only six countries — Andorra, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain — have anti-bullying legislation that fully protects learners on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
According to ILGA, South Africa currently provides specific legal protection against bullying based on sexual orientation and sex characteristics, but not gender identity or gender expression. It also noted that in 2023, the Department of Basic Education published draft guidelines for the socio-educational inclusion of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics in schools. However, misinformation campaigns, extended public consultations and changes in ministerial leadership after the 2024 elections have delayed their adoption.
Gay Man’s Family Hopes for Justice in Suspected Hate Crime Murder
Four years after the killing of gay man Zimasile Shabangu in October 2021, his family expressed renewed hope for justice as his alleged murderer prepared to stand trial at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court in December.
Shabangu was fatally stabbed in Northriding, Johannesburg, after the accused allegedly taunted him about his sexuality, making the case a suspected homophobic hate crime. His sister, Zubaida Shabangu, described years of delays, poor communication and uncertainty from police, leaving the family “in the dark” about the case’s progress. As the trial approached, the family called for public support and accountability, stressing that Shabangu’s life mattered.
LGBTIQ+ Community Marked 16 Days of Activism Campaign
South Africa marked another 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), which began on 25 November. A coalition led by the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), Sisonke: The National Sex Workers Movement in South Africa, and the South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD) launched an initiative to highlight that GBVF cannot be addressed without including LGBTIQ+ people, sex workers, people who use drugs and people with disabilities.
LGBTIQ+ activists and community members also participated in the historic National Women’s Shutdown, which sought to withdraw their labour, spending power and participation in daily life to bring attention to GBVF. These actions reinforced that violence against women and violence against LGBTIQ+ people are deeply interconnected struggles that require collective solutions.
