A 43-year-old queer man was targeted on Saturday afternoon in Randburg after arranging to meet someone through the dating app Grindr. The victim, who is not South African and has asked to remain anonymous, is physically safe and has opened a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Lured to Guesthouse
According to information shared with MambaOnline by Rev Toni Kruger-Ayebazibwe, Executive Director of GIN SSOGIE (The Global Interfaith Network for People of All Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions), the man agreed to meet someone at a guesthouse in Randburg at around 15:00.
Shortly after arriving and entering a room with the individual, five men allegedly burst in. The victim said he recognised some of them from Grindr profiles.
He was reportedly assaulted and forced to hand over his phone passcode. The attackers then accessed his banking apps — including a cryptocurrency account — and transferred funds out of his accounts.
The men allegedly tied him up for several hours before leaving. They are said to have threatened to post photographs of him restrained on social media if he “did anything stupid”.
Case Opened at Randburg Police Station
The victim has opened a case at the Randburg Police Station and is awaiting a case number.
Kruger-Ayebazibwe, who accompanied him to the station, said officers were generally helpful but initially hesitant to collect physical evidence gathered by the victim, including food wrappers and bottles that could potentially carry fingerprints or DNA. Police later agreed to take the items.
Part of a Disturbing Pattern
The incident follows a series of so-called “Grindr gang” attacks reported in Johannesburg and other parts of South Africa. In these cases, criminals allegedly use fake profiles to lure queer men to isolated locations before robbing and assaulting them.
Kruger-Ayebazibwe said the attacks exploit the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ communities.
“If my colleague was less experienced, less out, more vulnerable to social pressure, he might not have reported the incident, or it might have ended more badly,” he said. “I am grateful for the efforts that the movement and justice system have put into fighting these attacks, but we have much more to do.”
The trial of seven men accused of kidnapping, assaulting and extorting a Wits student lured through Grindr is currently underway in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
Community Urged to Remain Vigilant
Community members — particularly those meeting someone for the first time — are urged to exercise caution.
Recommendations include:
- Meeting in public spaces where possible
- Sharing live location details with a trusted friend
- Being wary of profiles that refuse video calls or verification
- Avoiding isolated venues for first encounters
While dating apps remain a vital way for LGBTQ+ people to connect, recent incidents highlight the need for ongoing vigilance and collective safety awareness.
