Community members gathered outside the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, demanding justice for Kwakhanya Mhlanganisi.
The devastating killing of 16-year-old Kwakhanya Mhlanganisi has sent shockwaves through the township of Khayelitsha. This has ignited calls for justice and stronger protection for LGBTQ+ individuals amid allegations of a homophobic motive behind the attack.
Kwakhanya, a learner from Intlanganiso High School, was killed in the early hours of Thursday, 4 December, in the area of BT-Block, Site C.
Nontombi Mthegeni, who is Kwakhanya’s aunt, said that before his death, they last saw Kwakhanya on Wednesday. The incident happened on Wednesday night around midnight, and his body was retrieved on Thursday morning, the 4th of December.
Protesters gathered at Khayelitsha Court after 16-year-old Kwakhanya Mhlanganisi was killed in a suspected homophobic attack. A 17-year-old appeared on Monday as calls for justice grow. 🌈✊ #JusticeForKwakhanya🔗https://t.co/5WBSakbTJ1
— Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) December 8, 2025
According to Sibusiso Orestes Nqunqeka of the Khulani Khayelitsha Queer Hub, the community was reeling after the incident that left Ntlanganiso “raped, torched, and killed, with his eyes also removed”.
Community members are alleging that a 17-year-old boy killed Kwakhanya. Some community members are claiming that the attack was motivated by homophobia.
National Prosecuting Authority Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that a teenager in conflict with the law appeared at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with murder. Ntabazalila said, “The case against the 17-year-old has been postponed until December 10, 2025, for bail application and place of safety.”
This incident has deeply affected the LGBTQ+ community and the community of Site C.
Also see: Don’t use my revelation against the LGBTQ+ community, pleads Inno Matijane
