Grindr Gang Trial Finally Starts: First Witness Reveals Harrowing Details

After almost two years of delays, the trial of the seven men accused in the so-called “Grindr Gang” case finally began in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, with the prosecution presenting its evidence and first witness.

The accused, Sanele Ndlovu, Vikani Khanyeza, Sohollo Khumalo, Sphamandla Mavundla, Lungisani Mshabalala, Thulani Mazibuko, and Khayelihle Zulu, are accused of luring a student to a meeting via Grindr, holding him hostage and brutally beating him.

The First Witness Testifies

The prosecution’s first witness, a third-year Biomedical Science student who studied with the victim, recounted the harrowing events of 19 September 2023.

He told the court that while working on an assignment in a friend’s room around 11:30 pm, he received a call from the victim’s phone. However, it was not the victim on the line.

“The person on the call said, ‘my friend is in trouble, I should check my phone,’ and then ended the call before I could respond,” he testified.

When he opened WhatsApp, he discovered a chilling message: “Your friend has been kidnapped, you must call his family.” The victim’s father was immediately informed, and the university house committee was called to help manage the situation.

Over the following hours, communication continued between the kidnappers and the witness. The perpetrators complained that the victim’s family was taking too long to respond and threatened that the victim would be killed. They instructed the witness to contact the family directly and demanded a ransom of R30,000.

The kidnappers also sent graphic photographs of the victim, which were accepted into evidence. In one image, the young man appears with blood in his mouth, a knife pressed against his neck, and wearing only a white vest.

In another, his hands are tied while a blade is held against his groin area, a chilling attempt to intimidate his friends and family into paying the ransom.

The witness, however, could not identify who had sent the messages or made the calls. Due to language barriers, he eventually asked others to speak to the victim’s family.

The Defence Responds

Lawyers for accused numbers 1, 2 and 3 denied that their clients were involved in the kidnapping or had any contact with the victim’s phone.

Counsel for accused 4 stated that his client would testify that he did not know the victim, had never communicated with the witness, and was not part of the kidnapping.

Charges and Next Steps

The Grindr Gang accused face four charges:

• Kidnapping
• Extortion (demanding R30,000 ransom)
• Attempted murder
• Theft (of the victim’s Samsung phone)

 If convicted, they could face sentences of up to 25 years in prison. The trial will continue on 4 and 5 November, when the victim is expected to take the stand and provide a detailed account of the attack.

Additional dates have been set for 10, 11 and 12 November, with the magistrate emphasising that the matter should be finalised within five days.

Civil Society Presence

Today’s proceedings were closely monitored by civil society organisations, including Activate Wits, Parents, Families and Friends of South African Queers (PFSAQ), Iranti, the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), Access Chapter 2, and MambaOnline.

Their presence underscored the significance of the Grindr Gang case for the LGBTQ+ community, which continues to face violence facilitated through dating apps like Grindr.

Community Reactions

Ntuthuzo Ndzomo, Programmes Manager at Iranti, told MambaOnline:

“It’s a matter of mixed emotions. We are happy that the trial has started without delays today, but frustrated that it has taken this long. We are glad the magistrate was strict in setting November dates and emphasised urgency.”

 Freedom Nonkululeko “Nox” Mtshali from the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) said:

“The questioning of the witness was disturbing because the incident happened two years ago, yet he was expected to recall every detail. But I’m relieved the trial was not postponed again. Justice has been delayed, but it should not be denied.”

Zodwa Rannyadi from Parents, Families and Friends of South African Queers (PFSAQ) added:

“This case has dragged on for almost two years. It’s not only about the victim, we have to ask how many others may have been targeted. Parents need to come and show support. These are our kids, and justice must be served.”

A Long Road Ahead for Grindr Gang Trial

The Grindr Gang case has drawn national attention due to the brutal nature of the alleged crimes and the broader concerns it raises about violence targeting LGBTQ+ individuals through dating apps.

While today’s testimony marked progress, the trial’s outcome will depend on the evidence presented in November, when the victim will give his long-awaited account of the events that changed his life.