Anger is growing as the authorities appear no closer to finding justice for South African gay Imam Muhsin Hendricks, who was assassinated in February.

More than two months after the assassination of gay Imam Muhsin Hendricks, the pain remains raw, and the calls for justice more urgent.

Pride parade celebrates queerness, love and inclusion

Members of the LGBTQ community paid tribute to Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, at Cape Town Pride over the weekend. The queer Muslim leader was shot dead in what is believed to be a homophobic attack last month. CAPE TOWN PRIDE: REMEMBERING MUHSIN HENDRIKS On Saturday morning, dozens of protestors marched for justice at the Cape Town Pride over the brutal murder of Muhsin Hendriks. Members of the LGBTQ community, as well as allies, held up placards calling for the protection and recognition of all queer people. The Cape Town Pride March paid tributes to Muhsin Hendricks, a 57-year-old openly gay imam, who was shot dead last month in South Africa pic.twitter.com/oQAjdacJpq — Reuters (@Reuters) March 1, 2025 Queer Faith Collective’s Nima Taylor said during the march of Muhsin: “His life, cut short by violence, was one of love, compassion, and resilience. “As we continue to process the grief of his loss, it’s up to us to carry forward his legacy and stand firm in the pursuit of justice”. An attendee told Reuters that the Cape Town Pride goers were “celebrating” the life of the world’s first gay imam. Edwin Meyer said: “He was spreading the word to his own community. To the kids in his community, young people, gay, queer people that wasn’t accepted by his (their) family. He accepted them as a father, a father figure. He was just spreading love, and that’s why we are celebrating his life today.” Cape Town Pride protesters have demanded justice over Muhsin Hendricks’s murder. The openly gay imam was killed in a hate crime last month. Images by Facebook/muhsin.hendricks Last month, Muhsin Hendricks was shot dead by two masked men who ambushed his vehicle in Gqeberha. According to reports, the 57-year-old had officiated a lesbian wedding before his murder. Muhsin came out as gay in 2006 and founded The Inner Circle, an NGO that provided support and a safe haven to queer Muslims seeking to reconcile their faith. He also established the inclusive Masjidul Ghurbaah mosque. NO ARRESTS MADE According to Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo, police are “hot on the heels” of the men who shot and killed Muhsin Hendricks. No arrests have been made to date. Like many Cape Town Pride attendees, President Cyril Ramaphosa also condemned the hate crime as a  “heinous attack” on the LGBTQ community. In a tweet he paid tribute to the gay imam, and called on authorities to take swift action. I offer my deep condolences to the family, friends and fellow activists of Imam Muhsin Hendricks whose life was brutally ended by gunmen in Gqeberha this past weekend.

While we await the outcome of investigations, I am concerned about the reported likelihood of this being a hate… — Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 17, 2025 DID YOU ATTEND CAPE TOWN PRIDE? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.