Cape Town – The seven individuals apprehended in connection with a kidnapping in Johannesburg are now reportedly being linked to 86 additional cases involving members of the LGBTQI+ community, encompassing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex+ individuals.
According to EWN, the arrests took place in Denver, and they are related to the abduction of an 18-year-old University of the Witwatersrand student who was lured through the Grindr dating app.
The student was reported missing by his roommate, leading to a police investigation.
“The student was reported missing the same day by his roommate. It is reported that he was lured to the suspects through a dating site called Grindr. The suspects demanded R30 000 from his family for his safe return.
“On 20 September 2023, the team comprising of members Gauteng Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime Investigations, Hillbrow Detectives, Johannesburg Trio Detectives, Johannesburg Metro Police K9, Security companies that included Vision Tactical, JT VIP, CAP Security, Fidelity Strategic Team and Cellular Data Investigation, operationalised the information that led them to an ATM where one of the suspects was expected to withdraw the ransom money on the M2 Road.
“The police held an observation and then placed the suspect under arrest as soon as he arrived. He then led the team to Denver Men’s Hostel where the victim aged 18, was found bound and unconscious,” police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said.
Six more suspects were arrested and the victim was rushed to hospital for medical attention.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
