LGBTQIA+ community rallies as Kwakhanya Hlanganisa murder case postponed again
LGBTQIA+ activists and organisations at the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court to support family and friends of Kwakhanya Hlanganisa, who was brutally killed in December 2025.
Image: Lilita Gcwabe
The father of murdered 16-year-old Kwakhanya Hlanganisa said he was confused and deeply disappointed after the case was postponed for a fourth time, and now to May 7, 2026.
Family, friends, and supporters of Kwakhanya left the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court frustrated on Thursday. This follows the accused’s decision to abandon their bail application.
Kwakhanya, a gay teenager, was brutally murdered on December 7, 2025.
The case, which had already been postponed three times, returned to court Thursday after earlier postponements due to a missing docket and a change in the investigating officer.
Kwakhanya’s father, Sicelo Maki, said he was deeply disappointed by the latest development.
"Last week, we met with the station commanders and the NPA, and we were assured that the case would continue no matter what and that the docket would be available," Maki said. "But today it is something else. We were told that the two accused abandoned their bail application, and once again, there was no docket."
"I am worried about whether my family will get justice when we come back here again," he said.
Several organisations, including Khulani Khayelitsha Queer Hub, Triangle Project, and Free Gender attended court calling for justice for Kwakhanya.
Sibusiso Nqunqeka, from the Khulani Khayelitsha Queer Hub, said: "Even though this postponement is frustrating, we are determined to keep fighting for justice for Kwakhanya. We will not stop until we get it."
"Even though there are only two accused right now, we believe there are more people involved who are living among us in our communities."
He said the organisation plans to request another meeting with the NPA and the station commander to demand answers.
"We don’t understand why the docket was not in court today," Nqunqeka said.
Free Gender Founder Funeka Soldaat said the brutality of the crime points to hatred as a motive.
"He was burned, and his eyes were taken out by people he did not know," Soldaat said. "A crime like that cannot be unmotivated by hate."