Accused in Grindr kidnapping, extortion case due back in court
Mlungisi Mbuthu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya are expected to apply for bail when they appear before the Cape Town Magistrates court.
Suspects of the 'Grindr Gang', an alleged kidnapping syndicate targeting gay men. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Three Gauteng men, accused of luring gay men under false pretence on the dating app Grindr are due back at the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Thursday.
They were arrested in June in connection with the kidnapping of a 50-year-old man who was held hostage in Woodstock.
At least seven men have come forward claiming to be victims of the trio in separate incidents in and around Cape Town.
Mlungisi Mbuthu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya are expected to apply for bail when they appear before the Cape Town Magistrates Court.
However, the State plans to oppose bail and add cyber-crime-related charges to the string of charges faced by the trio.
It's alleged that the men would kidnap their unsuspecting targets, hold them hostage, and extort money from them.
Their attorney, Nceba Jack, has indicated that his clients would plead not guilty to the charges against them.