The Msunduzi community in KwaZulu-Natal is reeling after the brutal murder of 19-year-old queer teen Sbongimpilo “Shana” Mzobe. His mutilated body was discovered under a bridge on Sunday, 25 January 2026, a day after he was last seen alive.
According to family members, Shana had been returning home from a local shisanyama (local eatery) in the early hours of Sunday morning. After arriving safely at home, he changed clothes, spoke briefly with his grandmother, and then left again after being called outside. That moment would be the last time his family saw him alive.
Shana’s body was discovered the following morning by a woman who had gone out to herd her cows. She raised the alarm, drawing members of the community to the scene, where it was confirmed that the deceased was Shana. He was found under a bridge near a river, and the scene revealed disturbing signs of violence. His arms were broken, and his private parts had been mutilated.
A case of murder has since been opened at the Msunduzi Police Station. At the time of publication, no arrests have been made, and the family says they are still waiting for justice.
Speaking to MambaOnline, Shana’s best friend, who grew up with him and considered him a brother, shared a detailed account of the events leading up to his death and who Shana was as a person.
“He is my brother, not biological but we grew up together. He is also my neighbour and my best friend,” she said.
She explained that Shana openly identified as gay from a very young age and never hid who he was.
“He has always been gay, everyone in the community knew, his family knew and even those who went to school with him knew he was gay. It is something he never hid from anyone. He was a bottom gay, who only liked boys, and we all knew. We called him Shana.”
According to her, Shana had been out with friends earlier that night and left the gathering around 3am to walk home, despite friends’ warnings.
“They told him not to walk because it was late and it’s not really safe for him – he must just wait for transport. He refused and eventually walked until he got home.”
After arriving home, Shana changed into an apron dress, spoke briefly with his grandmother, then took a small blanket and pillow and said he was going out.
“He said he was going out quickly to meet someone. We don’t know who he went out to go meet.”
She added that there is an unfinished outside building in the yard, and it remains unclear whether an altercation began there or elsewhere.
When Shana’s body was found, his blanket was discovered in a nearby river. His best friend described the injuries observed.
“His body had no major bruises you could see, like a gunshot wound. However, one of his testicles was cut, and the other they had attempted to cut off but failed. There were no bruises that indicated that he was beaten up or shot. The night before, we had heard a gunshot close by, but we didn’t pay much attention because it’s normal here. I’m assuming the person shot up in the air to warn him.”
She also expressed frustration with the response from authorities.
“Currently a case of murder has been opened at the Msunduzi Police Station. The police have not been helpful, and it doesn’t seem like they care about this case.”
While many have speculated about the motive, she said she does not believe Shana was killed because of his sexual orientation.
“I don’t believe that this was a hate crime because everyone in the community knew he was gay. He lived his life freely and openly gay since he was a child.”
Shana was laid to rest last Sunday. However, even after his burial, questions and pain remain.
“His grandmother and I went to wash his body at the mortuary, and we noticed that his tongue was cut off. We don’t know if it was done by the perpetrator or at the mortuary, but I doubt the mortuary would do something like that.”
The murder of Shana Mzobe has left a family devastated, a community shaken, and many questions unanswered. As the family continues to grieve, they are calling for justice and a thorough investigation into the killing of a young life taken too soon.
2 Responses
Another sad story. Very, very painful.
Terrible indeed ,he did not deserve such brutality.