KEY POINTS
- No arrests have been made three weeks after Muhsin Hendricks’ murder.
- Video footage shows Hendricks ambushed and shot in Gqeberha.
- South Africa’s low conviction rate raises concerns over justice.
There have been no arrests and no police updates since the death of an openly homosexual imam named Muhsin Hendricks more than three weeks ago.
No arrests made three weeks after Muhsin Hendricks’ murder
On February 15, Hendricks was sitting in the back of a Volkswagen when he was shot and killed. The automobile is seen trying to get away in a widely shared video, but a Hilux double-cab bakkie blocks its path. From the Hilux, an unidentified shooter fires several rounds in the direction of the rear window, where Hendricks was sitting. Before both suspects reenter the car and leave, a second man gets out. The driver of the Volkswagen was unharmed.
The investigation is still ongoing, according to Captain Sandra van Rensburg, spokesman for the Nelson Mandela Bay branch of the South African Police Service. Police have not responded to requests for more comment.
Low conviction rates raise concerns over justice for victims
One of the lowest rates of murder convictions worldwide is seen in South Africa. Guy Lamb, a criminologist at Stellenbosch University, claims that between 2019 and 2022, police reported 66,486 murder cases. Just 12% of these led to a guilty verdict.
According to groundup, the Open Mosque in Wynberg, Cape Town, which bills itself as a gender-neutral and non-sectarian venue, hosted a memorial service for Hendricks. Hendricks was not the mosque’s imam, although he was often linked to it.
The Open Mosque’s president, Taj Hargey, highlighted the organization’s commitment to inclusivity. In his eulogy at the service, he praised Hendricks’ goal for a “compassion-centered Islam” and described him as “a kind, gentle, lovely soul.”
Nicole Ravelo-Hoerson was among the attendees who honored Hendricks for his commitment to compassion and tolerance. Both Muslims and non-Muslims were welcome to attend the communal prayer, which was followed by a meal where guests from many backgrounds congregated.
There was no success in contacting Hendricks’ Al-Ghurbaah Foundation. Requests for comment were not answered by staff, and the organization’s website is currently unavailable.
Family relatives of Hendricks also refused to be interviewed.
