With the support of OUT LGBT Well-being, 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. While we aim to be as comprehensive as possible, many incidents go unreported or are not identified as hate crimes.
Below is our summary for July 2026.
Concerns over LGBTIQ+ School Guidelines
South Africa’s Department of Basic Education revealed that its long-awaited national LGBTIQ+ school guidelines were nearing finalisation, but activists raised concerns that the document would be non-binding and therefore potentially inconsistently applied. The guidelines were intended to help schools prevent discrimination, bullying and harassment and create safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTIQ+ learners, following years of delays after a leaked 2022 draft triggered a backlash from conservative and religious groups. Access Chapter 2 welcomed the progress but warned that recommendations alone could undermine learners’ constitutional protections, while OUT LGBT Well-being described the development as an important milestone after years of advocacy. The organisations called for stronger, enforceable protections to ensure that LGBTIQ+ learners received consistent protection from discrimination and violence across South African schools.
Cape Town’s Elite Bishops School Embroiled in Pride Flag Furore
Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town made headlines over a renewed dispute over its practice of flying the Pride flag for two days during Pride Month after the Old Diocesan Union called on the school to end the practice. This prompted strong support for the flag from almost 400 parents, former pupils, staff and friends of the school. Supporters argued that the flag represented inclusion, safety and acceptance for LGBTQ+ learners, while former pupil Anton Taylor accused the ODU Committee of deliberately targeting gay people. The dispute also triggered a wave of queerphobic comments and harmful misinformation on social media, including claims linking LGBTQ+ people to child abuse and Christianity. The school’s governing body has not publicly responded to the demand, which echoed a similar controversy at Bishops in 2022.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Rights Movement Sets Its Sights on Cape Town Conference
Plans for the 3rd Pan-African Conference on Family Values, scheduled for 2027 in Cape Town, sparked concern among South African LGBTQ+ organisations and allies, who warned that the event formed part of a growing anti-rights movement targeting LGBTQ+ equality, women’s rights and comprehensive sexuality education. The conference, organised by the Africa Christian Professionals Forum with the Family Policy Institute reportedly serving as the local organiser, followed a similar gathering in Nairobi in 2025. Several groups criticised narratives that promoted a narrow definition of family or used religion, culture and so-called African values to justify exclusion. Concerns also focused on the movement’s international funding and its promotion of a proposed exclusionary African Charter on Family Sovereignty and Values.
Four Men Jailed for “Grindr Gang” Kidnappings and Robberies in KZN
Four men were sentenced by the Durban Regional Court to effective 15 years’ imprisonment each after being convicted of using fake Grindr profiles to lure gay and bisexual men to hotels and guesthouses in Ballito, Umhlanga and Durban North, where they were kidnapped, assaulted and robbed in 2023. Khumdulani Ngubane and Nkanyiso Ndebele were convicted on three counts each of kidnapping and robbery, while Celimpilo Nkomo and Mzwemvelo Ngubane were each convicted on one count of kidnapping and robbery. Although investigators identified additional incidents, only three cases were prosecuted after some victims declined to lay charges.
Fifth Suspect Arrested in Alleged Grindr Gang Pretoria Murder of Braam Krüger
A fifth man, Steven Johnson, 32, was arrested in Pietermaritzburg in connection with the April murder of emergency medical services worker Braam Krüger in Pretoria, with investigators allegedly linking him to a Grindr gang syndicate. Johnson, who was described as the alleged leader, faces charges including murder, robbery, kidnapping, theft and extortion, while authorities also linked him to three other cases under investigation. Krüger was allegedly lured to a Brooklyn guest house through a dating app, where he was attacked and robbed before being found tied up and dead. The case highlighted continued concerns about so-called Grindr gang attacks targeting LGBTQ+ men, with guest houses frequently used to lure victims.
Have you experienced or witnessed an LGBTIQ+ rights violation such as a hate crime, hate speech or any other kind of LGBTIQ+ discrimination in South Africa? If you’d like to bring it to the attention of the LGBTIQ+ community or request support, email MambaOnline on info@mambaonline.com or OUT LGBT Well-being on sncanana@out.org.za.
