The family of 32-year-old transgender woman Thulani Komanisi has demanded answers after her body was discovered in Nelson Mandela Bay following her disappearance on 25 September 2026. Relatives say the circumstances suggest possible foul play and have criticised police at Kwadwesi Police Station for refusing to open a murder investigation.
How the family found out
According to the family, Thulani left home on 25 September saying she was going out for drinks with a friend. When she did not return, relatives grew concerned the following day. They hesitated to raise alarm on social media out of fear of upsetting her, and only opened a missing person’s case about a week later.
“She said she was going out for drinks with her friend and she left and never came back,”
Relatives searched on tips from social media and checked a local hospital, where they were told to visit the mortuary. There they learned that Thulani had died: her body was found hanging from a tree on 26 September 2026 in Soweto-on-Sea, Gqeberha.
Family suspects hate crime and foul play
The family has raised concerns beyond the discovery of the body. Thulani was a survivor of alleged sexual violence, and according to relatives she was expected to appear in court on 9 October 2026 in relation to an alleged rape involving six men. The family says they were attempting to determine whether she had received threats prior to her death.
Relatives allege that attempts to have the circumstances thoroughly investigated met resistance at the police station. They say officers at Kwadwesi Police Station refused to register a murder case and have not provided them with a case number or follow-up information.
Community and rights context
Transgender and gender-diverse people in South Africa often face hostility and violence, and any death in these communities raises questions about bias-motivated harm and the adequacy of police response. The family’s account — particularly the claim that the police declined to open a murder investigation — touches on broader concerns about access to justice for marginalised groups.
- Key dates: Thulani left home on 25 September 2026; her body was found on 26 September 2026.
- Location: Reported last seen in Soweto-on-Sea, Gqeberha; body discovered hanging from a tree.
- Pending court case: Thulani was due in court on 9 October 2026 relating to an alleged sexual assault.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 September 2026 | Thulani leaves home saying she will go out with a friend |
| 26 September 2026 | Body discovered hanging from a tree in Soweto-on-Sea |
| Early October 2026 | Family opens missing person’s case and later learns of her death at the mortuary |
| 9 October 2026 | Scheduled court appearance related to an alleged rape |
What the family wants
The family has called for a full, transparent investigation into Thulani’s death and for police to treat the matter with the gravity it deserves. They are seeking confirmation of whether threats were received, whether the sexual-assault matter was linked to her death, and why the station allegedly refused to register a murder case.
In cases where families feel police are not responding adequately, immediate practical steps include requesting a case reference number in writing, submitting a formal complaint to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and seeking assistance from rights organisations that support LGBTQIA+ victims.
Next steps and unanswered questions
At the time of reporting, details about any official investigation, a post-mortem report, or statements from the South African Police Service at Kwadwesi had not been provided to the family in the account they shared. It remains unclear whether the matter has been escalated within SAPS or referred to IPID.
This death will raise questions for community leaders and rights groups about the protection of transgender people in the Eastern Cape and the responsiveness of law enforcement when allegations of violence or bias are present. For now, Thulani’s relatives are left seeking answers as they try to make sense of what happened to their family member.
Anyone with information about Thulani’s disappearance or death is encouraged to contact local police or to provide details to the family through their known contacts. Confidential channels run by community support groups are also available for those who wish to share tips without identifying themselves.
