The “Grindr Gang 7” case, which centres on the alleged kidnapping, brutal assault and extortion of a young Wits student lured through the dating app Grindr, continued on Tuesday in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
The seven accused face charges of kidnapping, extortion, attempted murder and theft, linked to a September 2023 incident in which the victim was allegedly held captive at Denver Hostel and used in ransom demands made to his family.
Proceedings resumed with the cross-examination of the lead investigating officer, Mr Mphofu, by defence lawyers representing accused numbers five, six and seven. The questioning focused on the arrests, the condition of the victim when police arrived at the scene, and allegations of police misconduct raised by some of the accused.
During questioning, Mr Mphofu told the court that when he first encountered the victim, the young man had blood around his mouth and was unresponsive. However, he said he could not determine who had injured the victim or how he came to be in the room where he was found.
He confirmed that when police arrived, no one was actively assaulting the victim. When asked about the knives recovered from the scene, Mr Mphofu said he could not identify which knife, if any, was used in the images sent to the victim’s family.
The defence for accused number five put it to the court that their client was in his own room when police entered the hostel at around 9pm, claiming he was bathing while accused number six sat on the bed in his room. Mr Mphofu rejected this version, maintaining that he found accused number five in the same room where the victim was being held.
Accused numbers five and six alleged that they were assaulted by police during their arrest and later at the police station, with accused number five claiming his leg was broken as a result. Mr Mphofu denied these allegations, stating that he had no knowledge of any assaults and that the rights of all accused were read to them at the time of arrest.
The defence also put it to Mr Mphofu that accused number six claimed the investigating officer was not present during the arrest. Mr Mphofu disputed this, telling the court that he was present and personally carried out the arrests. He further denied allegations by accused number five that police entered rooms with firearms, assaulted him with rifles, or used a sjambok.
Accused number seven similarly denied any involvement in the kidnapping, claiming he was washing dishes in the kitchen when police arrived, was then ordered to lie down, and was assaulted and tortured.
Mr Mphofu denied these claims, maintaining that all the accused were found in the room where the victim was discovered, tied to the bed.
The case is expected to continue on 6, 11 and 13 May, where the prosecution is set to call three additional witnesses, including a medical doctor and a forensic expert.
Internationally, the All Out LGBTQ+ activism platform has launched a petition calling for dating apps like Grindr to do more to ensure the safety of queer people around the world who use these services. You can sign it here.
MambaOnline will continue to provide updates as the trial unfolds.
