An Imam from Cape Town was shot and killed in Bethelsdorp in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg identified him as the 58-year-old Moegsien Hendricks.
She said the Imam and a driver were driving in extension 24 when a Hilux double cab bakkie stopped in front of them, blocking their path.
Janse van Rensburg said the unknown suspects had their faces covered and fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene.
CCTV footage of the murder is doing the rounds on social media, showing that only Hendricks, seated at the back of the vehicle, was targeted in the apparent hit.
Hendricks was known to be the very first Imam internationally to come out as gay in 1996 and has worked extensively with Muslims in the LGBTQI+ community.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance's Committee for the city of Cape Town's LGBTQIA+ community has condemned what they called a hate crime that took place over the Valentine's Day weekend.
Committee Chairperson Counsellor Roberto Quintas said it is alleged that Iman Hendricks was in Gqeberha to facilitate a wedding between two women before he was gunned down.
He says Hendricks was a well-respected activist and stalwart in the gay community.
Quintas said the murder has sent shockwaves through the gay community who believe in the rights of loving and worshipping as they choose.
Hendricks worked extensively with queer Muslims through the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation, where he served as executive director.
