SA Social Media Personality Austin Mzukwa Denied Entry Into Zanzibar for Being Gay

• South African social media personality Austin Adida Mzukwa filmed himself at Zanzibar's airport after officials refused him and his friend entry into the country
• Austin had travelled to Zanzibar on 1 October 2026 to celebrate his birthday, but authorities flagged him and his travel companion as a gay couple
• The video quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate about Tanzania's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and border enforcement

A birthday trip to Zanzibar turned into a nightmare for South African social media personality Austin Adida Mzukwa, who documented the moment he and his friend were refused entry into Tanzania on 1 October 2026, his birthday, because officials believed they were a gay couple.

In the vlog filmed inside Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, a visibly emotional Austin spoke directly to his followers as he waited in the terminal. "They're saying we are a couple, so we can't enter their country," he said. "We need to go back to South Africa and do whatever we're doing."

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The clip, watermarked with TikTok handle @austin_xhh26, showed Austin consoling a distressed friend beside him while they awaited a return flight. "We can't stay somewhere where we're not welcomed," he said, urging his companion to calm down. "Let's just go back. There's no need, man."

Tanzania enforces some of the continent's strictest laws against same-sex relationships, with penalties that include imprisonment. The reported refusal of entry appears consistent with those regulations, which have drawn international criticism from human rights organisations.

Austin added that authorities would not even allow them to purchase food while they waited. "They're not even allowing us to go and buy food. We've been stuck here outside immigration because of this thing we're dating," he said.

Watch Austin document the airport ordeal that sparked nationwide debate:

Mzansi Reacts to Austin's Zanzibar Ordeal

The video drew sharp and divided responses across South African social media:

@Pinkdoll_love expressed sympathy:

"I honestly wish they had done proper research before travelling there. Now they've lost money on the flight and accommodation too. Yoh, this is really bad. 😭"

@Nompu90570329 agreed with the enforcement, writing:

"See how other African countries have laws that they don't compromise on. South Africa always wants to do as they please."

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@lioneszT offered a more nuanced take:

"Firm border control in practice. SA should take a lesson or two that Tanzania won't adjust its rules because you can't be a foreigner in Africa. However, in all fairness, refund them for their accommodation costs, if there is no disclaimer that we don't allow the LGBTQI community."

Jackie Phamotse weighs in

In a previous report from Briefly News, Jackie Phamotse has weighed in after Austin Adida Mzukwa was reportedly denied entry into Zanzibar.

She sparked debate over Tanzania's LGBTQ+ laws.

Source: Briefly News