The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities has condemned the brutal murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a renowned Muslim scholar and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate. Hendricks was gunned down on Saturday in Gqeberha while attending a wedding.

SUCH BRUTALITY

The Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, described Hendricks' assassination as a tragedy for South Africa. "We're outraged and condemning this brutal murder of a world-respected religious leader and a human rights advocate." She expressed shock over the high level of violence that continues, the intolerance and the hate crime that has happened to someone who has been continuing to fight for equality and dignity for all. "We condemn this in the strongest possible way and call on SAPS to act swiftly in looking for the people who've done it In the LGBTQI community. Imam was known to be openly known and was of service to his community, including the Muslim community. No South African must live in fear because of their identity or belief, and we also know that Muchsin was of service to the people."

AN ADVOCATE

The 57-year-old cleric ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims. Police confirmed that he was killed on Saturday morning after the car in which he was travelling in was ambushed near the southern city of Gqeberha. "Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle," police said in a statement.