There are growing indications that the recent brutal murder of a man at a Pretoria guest house may have been a so-called Grindr gang attack, with four suspects now arrested in connection with the crime.
Last month, media outlets widely reported that emergency medical services worker Braam Krüger was murdered at a guest house in the suburb of Brooklyn on 2 April.
It has now been claimed that the 40-year-old was lured to the venue, where five men allegedly attacked and robbed him of his cellphone and cash.
The suspects reportedly left the guest house using an e-hailing service. Shortly afterwards, Krüger’s tied-up body was discovered in one of the rooms, which showed signs of a struggle.
Four men believed to be from KwaZulu-Natal — Zondi Ntando (36), Siphoshile Xulu (22), Mpendulo Nyembe (27) and Sphesihle Mbambo (24) — have since been arrested in connection with the crime, according to Maroela Media.
In a move that angered friends and family, three of the accused were granted bail of R3,000 each on 21 May. The fourth accused, Ntando, is expected to apply for bail this week.
Grindr Allegedly Used to Target Victim
It has since emerged that Krüger may have been targeted through a dating app.
MambaOnline was reliably informed that during the bail hearing in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on 21 May, it was stated that the app used was Grindr.
While Grindr is not the only platform exploited by criminals, it remains the dating service most commonly linked to an epidemic of attacks targeting LGBTQ+ men in South Africa over the past decade.
Survivors are often reluctant to report these crimes due to shame, stigma, or fear of being outed — vulnerabilities that criminals cruelly exploit when targeting victims.
Friend Describes “Unimaginable Void”
One of Krüger’s friends, who asked not to be identified, told MambaOnline that his murder had devastated those close to him.
“Braam was one of the kindest people I knew,” he said. “He never hesitated to help others and would never turn a blind eye to someone in need. His loss has left an unimaginable void in the lives of everyone who loved him.”
He expressed hope that raising awareness about the crime could help prevent future attacks and save lives. He also urged anyone who may recognise the suspects or who may have survived similar incidents to come forward.
“We strongly believe there may be more victims who were targeted in a similar manner. We believe this could potentially involve a larger syndicate targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community through dating platforms,” he said.
“We understand that previous individuals who may have escaped similar situations are fearful of coming forward or being publicly identified. We respect their privacy and fear, but we also believe that their voices and experiences could play a critical role in exposing what may truly be happening and in helping ensure that no other families have to endure this kind of loss.”
Petition Calls for Bail to Be Revoked
A petition has since been launched condemning the granting of bail to the three accused and calling for the fourth suspect, Ntando, to be denied bail.
“Braam was not just another case number. He was a son, a friend, and a loved one whose life was taken in a brutal and tragic way,” reads the petition.
“We respect the justice system and the right to a fair trial, but we believe the seriousness of this case deserves stronger action.”
Anyone with information related to the case or the suspects is encouraged to email info@mambaonline.com. MambaOnline can assist in linking witnesses or victims to a private investigation into Krüger’s murder.
Grindr Gang Attacks Across South Africa
Guesthouses remain one of the common locations used by Grindr gang criminals to target victims.
In March, MambaOnline reported on an incident in which a 43-year-old man was lured into meeting another man at a guest house in Randburg, Johannesburg.
Shortly after arriving, five men burst into the room. The attackers assaulted him and forced him to hand over access to his banking applications — including a cryptocurrency app — before transferring money out of his accounts. They photographed and tied him up for several hours before leaving, threatening to post the images of him on social media if he “did anything stupid”.
In July 2023, 43-year-old businessman Kuben Kevin Archary was found strangled with a rope in a Durban guest house in what was also suspected to have been a Grindr gang attack. Reports indicated that the victim’s wife and son discovered his body after tracking the location of his car when he failed to return home.
Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, the trial of seven men accused of kidnapping and brutally assaulting a university student allegedly lured through Grindr in September 2023 continues to unfold amid ongoing delays and postponements.
