The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is expected to add cybercrime-related charges to the string of charges faced by three Gauteng men who allegedly targeted gay men through a popular dating app.
Mlungisi Mbutu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday after a man from Camps Bay was able to identify them as the men who allegedly kidnapped and forced him to pay R100 000.
The trio from Soweto are facing kidnapping, extortion and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The accused were arrested on June 14 in connection with the kidnapping of a 50-year-old man who was rescued at an Airbnb that they allegedly rented.
This bust, led by the Hawks, brought an end to their alleged rampant catfish operation with more victims from around Cape Town coming forward against the accused.
State prosecutor Luzaan Williams told the court that the accused faced seven charges and more were likely to be added.
Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the Camps Bay incident allegedly happened last year.
“This case is new in court but it happened last year, the victim had been chatting on the dating app with the accused and he was invited to a hotel where he was kidnapped. They tied him in there and were able to get about R100 000 from his bank account.
“Initially we had one case, this led to three and now four more. The cases are across the Cape metro including Cape Town central, Camps Bay, Brackenfell, Durbanville and Claremont.
“We have now filed for centralisation certification for all the matters to be heard in one court. We intend to add cybercrime-related charges.
The investigation is still ongoing; this means that we can expect more charges against the accused,” said Ntabazalila.
He said at this stage they have not made contact with their counterparts in Gauteng where two of the accused, Zulu and Ngwenya have similar pending cases.
The Cape Town Magistrate’s postponed the matter to August 1. The State has indicated it would oppose any bail application.
Cape Times