Almost a Year Later, Joburg Grindr Gang Case Postponed Again

The seven alleged ‘Grindr Gang’ members accused of kidnapping and severely assaulting a Johannesburg student last year appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, only for the case to be postponed once more.

Sanele Ndlovu, Vikani Khanyeza, Sohollo Khumalo, Sphamandla Mavundla, Lungisani Mshabalala, Thulani Mazibuko, and Khayelihle Zulu are alleged to have lured the then 18-year-old to a fake date through Grindr on 19 September 2023.

They face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and extortion. But, almost a year later, their trial has yet to begin due to a series of delays and postponements.

Wits Vuvuzela reported that Monday’s hearing centred on a dispute between the prosecution and the attorney for three of the men, which is preventing a trial date from being set.

The men’s attorney claimed that the state had failed to respond to several submissions from the defence. However, the state countered that these submissions had not been made.

Frustration has been mounting among activists monitoring the case, with some questioning whether the defence is deliberately trying to delay the trial. Several LGBTIQ+ organisations have been regularly attending the hearings in support of the victim.

Magistrate Simon Radasi also expressed irritation with the situation and stated that if the dispute is not settled within the next two weeks, he will hold an inquest to assess whether the delay is unreasonable. If he finds this to be the case, he will proceed with the trial.

The men, who remain in custody, are now set to return to court on 29 August, with the hope that the dispute between the state and the defence will have been resolved so that a trial date can finally be set.

The suspects are accused of forcibly detaining the Wits student, allegedly subjecting him to severe physical assaults, and demanding a ransom of R30,000 from his family.

The victim was rescued and the men arrested after one of the alleged perpetrators was caught by police attempting to withdraw the ransom funds from an ATM. The student was so badly assaulted that he was admitted to the ICU for several days.

Three other Gauteng men are facing similar charges in Cape Town in connection with several Grindr Gang attacks targeting queer men in that city. At least six victims have come forward, reporting incidents in the Cape Town CBD, Durbanville, Brackenfell, Claremont, and Camps Bay.

Queer men in South Africa have been urged to remain vigilant when using dating apps as there have been several further violent attacks in Johannesburg despite the seven men’s arrest.