The “Grindr Grang 7” trial resumed this week at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, where two South African Police Service officers took the stand as prosecution witnesses, giving testimony about the identification parade conducted during the investigation.
The case, which was last heard in February, centres on the alleged kidnapping, assault, extortion and attempted murder of a young Wits University student. He was reportedly lured through the dating app Grindr in September 2023 and allegedly taken to Denver Hostel, where he was tied up, assaulted, and used in ransom demands made to his family.
Seven accused — Sanele Ndlovu, Vikani Khanyeza, Sohollo Khumalo, Sphamandla Mavundla, Lungisani Mshabalala, Thulani Mazibuko and Khayelihle Zulu — are facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, attempted murder and theft.
On Wednesday, the prosecution called Sergeant Fhumbulani Madezena and Constable W. Mogale as witnesses, both of whom were cross-examined by the defence.
Their questioning centred on the validity of an identity parade in which the accused were pointed out by a witness who has yet to be formally identified. That witness was in court on Wednesday but did not testify due to not feeling well and was instructed to return next week.
The defence has argued that the parade should not be admitted into evidence and attempted to undermine its credibility through its examination of the officers.
Sergeant Testifies on Identification Parade
Sergeant Fhumbulani Madezena told the court that he became involved in the case on 10 February 2024 after being contacted by the lead investigator.
“It was around 1 pm when I came across this case. The lead investigator had called and asked if I could assist with the case with an ID parade,” he testified.
Madezena said he proceeded to the scene and waited outside the building near the hostel while they expected the witness to arrive.
“The witness arrived, and I waited outside, a distance from the garage. When the witness arrived, they went inside while I waited outside. The witness was a young male,” he told the court.
During cross-examination, the defence lawyer for accused numbers one, two and three asked whether there had been another witness that he had met with during the process. Madezena said there was not.
When questioned by the defence lawyer for accused number four about what interaction he had with the witness, Madezena said: “I told the witness to follow me as we walked to the door of the hostel, and I opened the door,” he said.
Constable Also Called to Assist
Constable W. Mogale from Hillbrow Police Station also testified that he had been approached by the lead investigator to assist with the same identification parade.
He told the court that he also went to the scene and was positioned at the exit point, where he guarded the door through which the witness would leave after the process.
His and Sergeant Madezena’s testimony supported the prosecution’s account of how the identification process was conducted.
It’s not the first time the defence questioned the actions of the police. In February, officers denied claims that they had assaulted the accused.
The case is one of the most high-profile “Grindr gang” prosecutions related to the long-standing and still ongoing phenomenon of queer men across South Africa being targeted, robbed, or assaulted by criminals after arranging meetings through dating apps.
Civil Society Calls for Faster Proceedings
Civil society organisations, including the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), have continued to attend court proceedings in support of the victim and his family.
Speaking to MambaOnline, FEW representative Noxie Mtshali expressed concern about the pace of the trial.
“The proceedings are taking too long, which is also very costly. There should be a way to speed up the process; however, we remain patient, and we hope justice takes its course,” she said.
The matter will continue on 11 and 13 May 2026, where the court is expected to hear from three more prosecution witnesses, as well as the doctor who treated the victim and members of the forensic team involved in processing the crime scene.
MambaOnline will continue to provide updates on the trial.
