He swiped right hoping to meet the love of his life.
What he got instead were two months in the intensive care unit after swiping right on a dating site used by the LGBTQI+ community, Grindr.
The so-called 'Grindr Gang' appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on Wednesday morning after they were denied bail early this month. Sanele Ndlovu (26), Vikani Khanyeza (28), Sohollo Khumalo (26), Sphamandla Mavundla (33), Lungisani Shabalala (33), Thulani Mazibuko (23) and Khayelihle Zulu (24), are facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and extortion. The seven men are accused of kidnapping a student from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits).
This is after the victim's roommate reported him missing on 19 September.
The accused allegedly lure their victims through the dating site. They would then contact their families and ask for a ransom. In the case of the Wits student, he was allegedly held hostage and they demanded a ransom of R30 000 from the complainant’s family.
The accused sent horrific images of the Wits student tied up and badly assaulted to his family in an attempt to extort money from them.
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On Wednesday, the members of the LGBTQI+ community showed up in numbers to show support to the families and they say they want justice for the victims who suffered in the hands of the seven men. Transgender activist Yaya Mavundla was one of the people who came to court. The brief appearance was remanded so that the defence could get more information in the case.
“We are in court today to represent the queer people who were raped, kidnapped, and attacked amongst other things by the 'Grindr gang'. We are hoping for justice and that as a community, you can help us to create as much noise and put a lot of pressure on the government and the police to ensure that we get justice because this needs to stop.”
Yaya recently wore a dress with articles about the Grindr victims and some of the social media status of the victims at the Feather Awards this year. She says she thought it was very important to add her voice and to help make sure that the government acts.
“The more pressure they get on the media, they will see that there is a need for more arrests. And when arrests are happening, it is important that they do not get bail. That is why I wore the dress that has the articles around this issue, and some of the quotes from the victims sharing what they went through when they were held hostage by these men from the moment they got there.”
She says the Grindr Gang has been doing this for three years and she discovered that there have been 87 people that have experienced this horrific trauma. She says the reason why they were there is because of the Wits student who is still in ICU.
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“Some of the people managed to get away and reported this, and others are still missing to this day. The 'Grindr Seven' were arrested in Denver in Joburg, because of the Wits student, and last week Thursday, two members of the community were kidnapped and were only released by the perpetrators on Monday, with one perpetrator being arrested.”
National Authority Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says the police found one of the accused while he was withdrawing the ransom and led the police to Denver men’s hostel where the complainant was kept. On arrival at the hostel, six more men were arrested. The complainant was found unconscious and was rushed to the hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
“Cases of kidnapping for ransom are prevalent in the court’s jurisdiction and the NPA continues to work with partners within the Criminal Justice System to bring these syndicates to book.”
