Gqeberha police are seeking information to solve the murder case of Moegsien Hendricks (58), a queer imam from Cape Town. Hendricks was shot dead on Saturday, February 15, in Extension 24, Bethelsdorp.
Hendricks was reportedly the first openly queer imam in the world. He is credited with starting the country’s first LGBTQ+ friendly mosque and was the leader of the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation in Wynberg, Cape Town. With over two decades of activism, he sought to help queer Muslims reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, it is alleged that at approximately 10:00, Hendricks and a driver were inside a gold-colored VW T-Roc in Haley Place, Extension 24, Bethelsdorp, when a silver-colored Hilux double cab blocked them from driving off.
“Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the VW T-Roc,” she reported.
“Thereafter, they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle, had been shot and killed.”
LGBT dayatmasinin bir parçasi olarak dünyanin ilk escinsel imami seklinde tanitilan ve escinsel evlilikleri tesvik eden Güney Afrikali Muhsin Hendricks, Cape Town’da düzenlenen silahli saldirida öldü. pic.twitter.com/JIHcjFWZe0
— SAG DIJITAL (@SagDijital) February 17, 2025
Janse van Rensburg stated that the motive for the murder is unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation.
Police are now appealing to the public for any information that could help trace the murderers.
“Anyone with information can contact Detective Colonel Dawie Schotz at 082 319 8673, the SAPS Crime Stop number at 08600 10111, or report to the nearest police station. All information is confidential, and callers may remain anonymous.”
Commenting on the incident, Claremont Main Road Masjid (CMRM) expressed deep outrage over the murder of Hendricks.
“We unequivocally condemn this tragic, cowardly, and merciless targeted assassination of this Muslim leader within the LGBTQI+ community. We are profoundly shocked and deeply disturbed by this extreme act of violence. At the heart of our faith is the absolute sanctity, reverence, and sacredness of human life. Islam teaches that the unjust killing of a single soul is akin to killing all of humanity (Qur’an 5:32).
“No theological dispute, no matter how profound, and no jurisprudential difference, no matter how contested, can ever justify murder. Extrajudicial killings violate every ethical, moral, and spiritual principle we uphold,” the statement read.
