Family of Eastern Cape Transgender Woman Thulani Komanisi Demands Answers After Her Death

The family of Thulani Komanisi, a transgender Nelson Mandela Bay woman who was found dead after leaving home on 25 September, is demanding answers about the circumstances surrounding her death, which they suspect may have been a hate crime.

“She said she was going out for drinks with her friend and she left and never came back,” Thulani’s aunt, Vuyo, told MambaOnline.

By the following day, the 32-year-old’s family had become concerned about her whereabouts. They considered posting about her disappearance on Facebook but hesitated, believing she might just be staying with a friend.

“We thought she could be at a friend’s house and she would get mad at us for making her trend but I knew that she would have reached out to me with a friend’s phone,” Vuyo explained.

A week after her disappearance, the family eventually opened a missing person’s case. While waiting for information from the police, the family began searching for Thulani themselves following tips they received from social media. They initially went to the hospital, where they were advised to check the mortuary first before returning.

It was there that they received the devastating news that Thulani had died.

“The mortuary notified us that Thulani had died the same day she left home. Her body was discovered hanging from a tree the next day, 26 September,” Vuyo said.

The family had been searching places where Thulani had reportedly been seen, unaware that she had already died. According to reports, she was last seen in Soweto-on-Sea, Gqeberha.

The family believes there may have been foul play in Thulani’s death, particularly given her history as a survivor of alleged sexual violence.

According to Vuyo, Thulani had allegedly been raped by six men and was expected to appear in court on 9 October 2026 in connection with the rape case.

Her aunt said the family had been trying to establish whether Thulani had received any threats before her death. However, she alleges that their efforts to have the circumstances investigated have been met with resistance.

Vuyo claims that officers at Kwadwesi Police Station have refused to open a murder case and have not provided the family with a case number.

“The police have since refused to open a murder case. They refuse to give us a case number, and we are really struggling to come to terms with what has happened to our child,” she said.

She also raised concerns about Thulani’s cellphone, which she had left at home when she went out.

“We have been asking the investigating officer to take her phone and check if she didn’t receive any harmful messages; he doesn’t want to,” Vuyo alleged.

The family’s allegations about the police response and the circumstances of Thulani’s death have not been independently verified. 

The cause and circumstances of her death, as well as whether it was motivated by anti-transgender prejudice or was related to the rape case, remain to be established.

Beyond their demands for answers, Thulani’s family is grappling with the loss of someone they describe as a joyful, loving presence in their lives.

Vuyo remembered her niece as someone who loved singing and was almost always happy. Music was something they shared, particularly maskandi, a popular Zulu music genre.

“We loved singing maskandi songs together. We called her Thushi the girl, it’s the nickname we called her at home,” she said.

The pain of losing Thulani was evident as Vuyo spoke about the difficulty of accepting that her niece would not return home.

“What has happened to Thulani is really painful. I am even struggling to sleep. It feels like she will walk through the door. It’s hard to believe,” she said.

Breaking down in tears, Vuyo spoke of the love she had shared with her niece and the emptiness her death had left behind.

“Who is going to love me like she did? I am so broken. Thulani loved me.”

On Friday, 16 October, members of the community and the LGBTQ+ community gathered for a memorial in Soweto-on-Sea to honour Thulani’s life.

Those in attendance marched and sang songs of struggle, remembering a woman whose death has left her family and community searching for answers.

While Thulani’s death is suspected by those close to her to have been a hate crime, it is important that the circumstances are thoroughly investigated and that any conclusions about the motive are supported by evidence.

For her family, the immediate priority is to understand what happened to Thulani and to ensure that their concerns are addressed.

As they mourn, they are calling for assistance with funeral expenses and appealing to members of the public who are able to contribute to help lay Thulani to rest. She will be buried on Saturday, 24 October 2026.

Those wishing to support the family can make donations using the following banking details:

Bank: Capitec Account holder: Miss AS Komanisi Account number: 1295949111

As Thulani’s loved ones remember her through music, shared memories and tears, they continue to seek answers about the circumstances that led to her death. 

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Mamba Wrap Newsletter

Our FREE weekly newsletter that keeps you updated on the latest LGBTQ+ news and views – delivered straight to your inbox!