Muhsin Hendricks: Police Investigations Continue Into Imam’s Assassination

• Police investigations into the assassination of Muhsin Hendricks, dubbed as the world's first openly gay imam, continue
• Hendricks was shot and killed in Bethelsdorp, Gqeberha, where he had reportedly gone to attend a lesbian wedding
• Nelson Mandela Bay police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg told Briefly News a probe continued

Tshepiso Mametela is a seasoned journalist at Briefly News. A Head of Current Affairs, Mametela reported live from the presidential inauguration of Cyril Ramaphosa and has written articles on politics, crime, courts, accidents and other topics, including sports, at The Herald and Opera News SA, among others.

GQEBERHA — Police investigations are continuing into the shooting death of Muhsin Hendricks, the world's first openly gay imam.

Hendricks was killed in Bethelsdorp on Saturday, 15 February 2025, while reportedly preparing to officiate a lesbian wedding.

Muhsin Hendricks killers being tracked

In response to a Briefly News inquiry, Nelson Mandela Bay police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said investigations were ongoing.

Read also

Eastern Cape police shoot, kill 6 suspects in Butterworth shootout on N2

She said no new information could be shared publicly at this time.

"Police are appealing to anyone with any information which can assist in the investigation to contact Detective Colonel Dawie Scholtz on 082 319 8673," urged Janse Van Rensburg.

"Alternatively, informants can contact the Crime Stop hotline on 086 001 0111, or the nearest police station. All information is confidential, and callers may remain anonymous."

Meanwhile, Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel said police were hot on the heels of the suspects, seen in a widely circulated video on social media, assassinating the gay rights advocate.

There are suggestions the killing could be a hate crime. However, during a Newzroom Afrika news interview, Nel said it was too early to confirm.

Hendricks was a pioneering figure, who, in 2009, founded the People’s Mosque in Cape Town, intended as a haven for gay Muslims.

Nel, who did not divulge further details, noted being told by the Police Ministry that law enforcement was hot on the trail of the suspected killers.

Read also

Is now 7-year-old Joslin Smith still alive, 1 year after going missing?

In the clip of the murder, posted on the @RT_com X page a day after the killing, a Toyota Hilux coming from the opposite direction is seen blocking the path of the imam's vehicle — a gold VW T-Roc.

A masked assailant in what appears to be a black hoodie jumps out of the front passenger side and approaches the vehicle.

The gunman fires several times into the right backseat.

Andrews filmed pushing cop van

In a related story, Briefly News reported that the killing of Gqeberha police officer Constable Callan Andrews rocked the Nelson Mandela Bay community.

Andrews, 29, was gunned down execution-style in Helenvale while he and another officer conducted patrols on New Year's Eve.

According to reports, their vehicle broke down, and three residents approached to assist Andrews in pushing it. He was subsequently shot and later died in hospital. Police arrested three people, including two 17 and 18-year-old youths, on Saturday, 4 January, charging them with the murder.

Source: Briefly News