The cases against Gauteng men who allegedly ran a catfish operation using a popular dating app are piling up with a Camps Bay man being the latest alleged victim to come forward.
Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya made their first court appearance in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in relation to an incident in Durbanville.
State prosecutor Luzaan Williams told the court that while it was the accuseds’ first time in the dock in Bellville, they had a number of cases in other jurisdictions and the State wanted the matter to be centralised.
“The accused are charged with kidnapping, extortion and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“The accused are appearing at various courts, one being the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court, where they appeared on July 19 and 22, facing similar charges.
“The State intends to apply for a centralisation certificate so we would like a postponement of that and also for the appointment of their attorneys,” said Williams.
Ngwenya, 25, and Zulu, 36, told the court they wanted to appoint private lawyers when asked about legal representation. They both entered the court dock covering themselves with disposable surgical masks. The matter was postponed to July 24 with the accused remanded in custody.
Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the accused faced about six cases to date and more charges were likely to be added.
“There is a new case that will be added on Friday in relation to a Camps Bay incident, and more cases are currently being investigated. This includes the Claremont matter which they are yet to appear for in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
“On the merits of this Durbanville case that we are here for, the victim was in communication with the accused via a dating app where he is a user. He received a phone call for a meeting at a guest house. He was kidnapped and tied up at the guest house.
“They demanded money and a call was also made to his employer for a R3 000 ransom. The victim was released by the accused after the employer paid the money. He was able to identify the accused,” said Ntabazalila.
Zulu and Ngwenya were arrested on June 14 along with another accused, Mlungisi Mbutu, after a top multi-disciplinary team, led by the Hawks and the Western Cape Organised Crime Unit, received information about a possible kidnapping of a 50-year-old man. The man was subsequently rescued at an AirBnB in Woodstock.
Cape Times