In partnership with 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 September 2026.
Killers of Gqeberha Gay Man Sipho Mahlinza Sentenced
Almost two years after the murder of 27-year-old Gqeberha gay man Sipho Mahlinza, two men were sentenced for their roles in the crime. Mahlinza was shot dead in Kwazakele township in September 2024. According to reports at the time, he was travelling in a vehicle with three others, including his partner, when they experienced car trouble. A group of men reportedly confronted them and demanded that they drive them around. When Mahlinza refused, the men allegedly hurled anti-gay slurs at him before shooting him and injuring another occupant. He died in his partner’s arms. Kuhle Matawe, 21, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and three other charges. Simphiwe Tshukuse, 24, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, with two years suspended.
Coalition Launched to Fight Anti-Rights “Family Values” Conference
Vimba! We the People, a new civil society coalition, was launched in response to the growing influence of anti-rights movements in South Africa and across Africa. The planned 2027 Pan African Conference on Family Values in Cape Town acted as a catalyst, with the coalition warning that the conference could advance agendas restricting LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive healthcare, diverse gender expressions and access to sexuality education. Vimba! called for a united response to what it described as far-right efforts to undermine constitutional democracy and hard-won rights, rejecting the use of traditional African values, family and national sovereignty to justify discrimination. It urged South Africans to defend equality, dignity, bodily autonomy and democratic freedoms, but had yet to outline specific campaigns or concrete actions following its launch.
Cape Town Rainbow Crosswalk Vandalism Unleashes Flood of Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate
Between 4 and 8 September, Cape Town’s rainbow pedestrian crossing in De Waterkant was vandalised twice with anti-LGBTQ+ and religious messaging. The vandalism triggered hundreds of hateful social media comments, including anti-LGBTQ+ slurs, degrading language and calls for violence, some of which were documented by iZibuko Zethu, with support from OUT LGBT Well-being and Gender and Sexuality Alliance Buffalo City. OUT’s Human Rights Coordinator, Sibonelo Ncanana-Trower, warned that online hate speech could normalise discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people, and urged social media users to report such content. A man, Trevor Wood, later come forward, confessing to the vandalism.
Anglican Church of Southern Africa Again Rejects Same-Sex Couples Inclusion
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) rejected two proposals to increase the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ members in same-sex relationships at its 38th Provincial Synod, held in Benoni from 20 to 23 September. A motion that would have allowed committed same-sex couples to be prayed for within the church was narrowly defeated, with 71 votes in favour, 78 against and 10 abstentions, while a second proposal to develop an alternative liturgy addressing LGBTQIA+ people’s pastoral needs was rejected by 98 votes to 61, with 10 abstentions. Inclusive & Affirming Ministries expressed disappointment, noting that the decisions left same-sex couples without formal recognition in the church. The outcome followed ACSA’s rejection of similar proposals in 2024.
Soweto Pride 2026 Highlighted Challenges Facing the LGBTQ+ Community
Soweto Pride 2026 brought LGBTQIA+ people and allies together on 25 and 26 September to advocate for equality, visibility and protection from discrimination and violence. At the event, former Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron warned that LGBTQIA+ people, particularly lesbians facing gender-based violence, continued to experience serious threats to their safety. Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Steve Letsike described Pride as an act of resistance and called for harmful attitudes rooted in patriarchy and misogyny to be challenged. Deputy Minister of Justice Andries Nel acknowledged the ongoing gap between constitutional protections and the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, calling for stronger access to justice and more effective responses to hate-motivated violence. The event also promoted solidarity with LGBTQ+ people facing persecution elsewhere in Africa and highlighted the importance of recognising queer people as part of South Africa’s heritage.
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.
