Cape Town – An 18-year-old student from Wits University is recovering in the hospital after he was kidnapped following conversations on the dating app Grindr, with a ransom demand of R30 000.
“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.
Three knives and the student’s personal items were seized.
Authorities are also investigating whether these suspects are connected to similar cases in Gauteng.
“The team is currently investigating the possibility of linking these suspects to cases in Gauteng with the same modus operandi. All seven will be charged with kidnapping and extortion and they will be appearing before court soon,” Muridili said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
