Still No Trial Date in Johannesburg Grindr Gang Case

The seven men accused of kidnapping and severely assaulting a Johannesburg student last year still do not have a trial date, leaving the victim no closer to justice.

The men appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, following an earlier postponement on 15 August.

The case has been mired in nearly a year of bureaucratic and logistical delays, with no trial date yet set.

On Thursday, the court heard that due to a potential conflict of interest, the attorney for accused 1, 2, and 3 had to withdraw from the case. A colleague will now take over their representation.

The court has indicated that the matter is ready for trial, and it has been postponed to 16 September 2024 for a potential trial date to be set.

However, there may be a further complication. MambaOnline understands that the prosecutor in the case is aggrieved by complaints from some LGBTIQ+ activists about his handling of the matter, which led to a picket outside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) offices in July.

There were claims that the NPA was considering not prosecuting the men, which turned out to be unfounded. MambaOnline contacted the Gauteng Provincial spokesperson for the NPA at the time for clarity but did not receive a response.

There are now concerns that if the prosecutor withdraws from the case, it could lead to further delays.

The accused — Sanele Ndlovu, Vikani Khanyeza, Sohollo Khumalo, Sphamandla Mavundla, Lungisani Mshabalala, Thulani Mazibuko, and Khayelihle Zulu — face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and extortion.

The suspects are accused of luring the 18-year-old Wits student to a fake date through Grindr on 19 September 2023. They held him against his will, subjected him to severe physical beatings, and demanded 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 ransom funds from an ATM. The student was so badly assaulted that he was admitted to 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.