The devastating killing of 16-year-old Kwakhanya Mhlanganisi has sent shockwaves through the Khayelitsha community, igniting calls for justice and stronger protection for LGBTQ+ individuals amid allegations of a homophobic motive behind the attack.

On Monday, residents gathered outside the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court to demand accountability for the brutal murder.

Community members allege a 17-year-old boy killed Kwakhanya. Some claimed the attack was motivated by homophobia. 

Protesters demanded justice for Mhlanganisi and called for stronger protection for LGBTQ+ individuals in the community. 

National Prosecuting Authority Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that a teenager in conflict with the law appeared at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with murder. 

“The case against the 17-year-old has been postponed until December 10, 2025, for bail application and place of safety,” Ntabazalila said. 

“The State will oppose the release of the child in conflict with the law.” 

Nontombi Mthegeni, Kwakhanya’s aunt, said that before his death, they last saw Kwakhanya on Wednesday. The incident happened on Wednesday night around midnight and his body was retrieved on Thursday morning. 

Recounting what happened, his aunt said Kwakhanya left the house with to look for his sister and he encountered other teenagers. 

Mthegeni said other residents told her that Kwakhanya was targeted by the teenagers.

“They said, ‘Here’s this b***h’ and wanted to take his (alcoholic drink) by force, while calling him a b***h. Kwakhanya hit them,” Mthegeni said. “It is said he fought for himself, and thereafter, they dispersed.” 

She said the teenagers then chased Kwakhanya through the informal settlement. 

“It is said they hit him with bricks until he fainted. They hit him more after he fainted. When they finished beating him, they took an empty bucket and burned him. That’s when the children arrived, and we went to my sister. They called her, saying Kwakhanya was burning,” Mthegeni said. 

She said her sister went to check and found that her child had been burned.

“We feel sad because Kwakhanya was still a child. He was 16, and we were waiting for beautiful things from him.” 

Mthegeni said Kwakhanya’s mother knew and understood he was gay.

“Maybe they killed him because he was gay and they were boys. We don’t know what happened, we don’t know if they argued, we don’t know,” Mthegeni said. 

Khulani Khayelitsha Queer Hub’s Sibusiso Nqunqeka from Khayelitsha Site C said they went to court because they wanted justice. 

Nqunqeka said the incident has deeply affected their community.

“Kwakhanya was killed because he is gay, because he is in the LGBTQI community,” Nqunqeka said. 

“Yes, we exist on paper. Our Constitution protects us, yet there are no actions that are being taken,” Nqunqeka said. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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