South African Influencer Austin Mzukwa Claims Zanzibar Denied Him Entry Over Suspected Gay Relationship

South African beauty and lifestyle influencer Austin Mzukwa claimed that border officials in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago of Tanzania, denied him and his male travel companion entry into the territory after allegedly identifying them as a gay couple. Mzukwa shared a video detailing the incident on social media from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, explaining that they were being sent directly back to South Africa.

According to South African LGBT outlet MambaOnline , the incident occurred in early October when Mzukwa arrived on the island with a friend identified as Sky to celebrate his birthday. In the video, Mzukwa stated that immigration officials refused to clear them through border control and kept them in the transit area for several hours without the opportunity to purchase food. “They’re saying we are a couple, so we can’t enter their country. Me and my friend Sky, so that’s it. We’re going back to South Africa… They’re saying we are gays,” he told his followers. He later posted an update confirming that both travelers had safely returned home.

Tanzanian and Zanzibari government authorities have not publicly commented on the incident or confirmed that the entry denial was related to sexual orientation. Independent media outlets noted that travelers are subject to various immigration rules, including mandatory inbound travel insurance required by Zanzibar authorities and standard visa regulations, leaving the formal grounds for refusal unverified by official sources.

Tanzanian law imposes severe criminal penalties on consensual same-sex relations: mainland legislation provides for up to life imprisonment, while Zanzibar’s separate Penal Code punishes such acts with up to 14 years in prison, along with up to 7 years for attempting to form a same-sex union. Despite the strict legal environment, Zanzibar remains a major international tourism destination where hotels and private beach resorts have traditionally tolerated foreign visitors, provided there are no open public displays of affection.

The video sparked widespread debate across social media. Some users criticized Mzukwa for travelling carelessly to a destination known for repressive anti-LGBT legislation. Other commentators defended Tanzania’s sovereign prerogative to enforce its domestic laws and cultural norms. Meanwhile, human rights advocates and tourism observers expressed concern over whether the incident was an isolated border dispute or points to intensified scrutiny targeting LGBT travellers.

Restrictions affecting LGBT tourists in popular travel destinations have surfaced before. In July 2026, Uránia reported on how authorities in Egypt and Turkey banned an LGBT cruise ship from docking in their ports .