South African content creator Austin Adida Mzukwa has addressed an alleged incident at Zanzibar’s airport after he and a male travel companion were reportedly denied entry and sent back to South Africa.
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According to a video shared by Austin from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, he claimed officials believed he and his friend were a couple and therefore did not allow them to enter Zanzibar.
However, the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently confirmed by Tanzanian or Zanzibar authorities. It is also unclear whether the pair were formally deported, denied entry or required to return to South Africa for another immigration-related reason.
‘They’re saying that my friend and I are a couple’
Austin’s account has since prompted discussion among social media users, with reactions ranging from support for Tanzania’s local laws to concerns about travellers navigating countries with different legal frameworks.
“Not us Getting deported back to South Africa because why are we gay in Zanzibar ? 😭💔, , Yaphela kanjanlo IBirthday Vacation” pic.twitter.com/Gzq5CoGJtc
— Revolutionary Gangsta💚 (@RevoGangSta777) October 1, 2026
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Tanzania and Zanzibar have strict laws on same-sex activity
The reported incident has also brought attention to Tanzania’s laws concerning same-sex sexual activity.
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar. The UK’s current travel advice warns that same-sex relationships are not tolerated and that public displays of affection can result in arrest or imprisonment.
Human Rights Watch reports that mainland Tanzania’s laws can punish consensual same-sex conduct with up to life imprisonment, while Zanzibar has separate provisions that criminalise same-sex conduct.
For Zanzibar specifically, Human Rights Watch has documented provisions carrying penalties of up to 14 years for certain same-sex sexual conduct, alongside other offences relating to same-sex relationships.
Importantly, the existence of these laws does not independently establish that they were the reason Mzukwa and his companion were refused entry.
Social media divided over the incident
Austin’s posts have sparked different reactions online.
Some users argued that visitors should familiarise themselves with the laws of a country before travelling and respect local regulations.
Others used the incident to discuss the difficulties that can arise when people travel between African countries with significantly different laws and social attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people.
The discussion has also raised broader questions about African unity, freedom of movement and the rights and safety of travellers.
Travel risks and different laws
The incident serves as a reminder that laws governing relationships and sexual conduct can vary considerably between countries.
Travel advice from the UK government specifically warns LGBTQ+ travellers about the legal and social environment in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Travellers are also advised to check entry requirements before visiting Zanzibar. For example, current UK travel guidance states that visitors arriving in Zanzibar must have mandatory inbound travel insurance that meets the territory’s requirements.
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