Public urged to beware of strangers from dating apps

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has raised concerns over a disturbing rise in kidnappings and robberies in Johannesburg’s Maboneng precinct.

It warned residents to exercise extreme caution when meeting strangers from online platforms. This follows the Committee’s unannounced oversight visit to Jeppe Police Station on Friday, during which it was briefed by station management on a troubling pattern of crimes linked to online dating apps.

Lured, robbed and attacked

“During the visit, Station Management briefed the Committee on a disturbing trend where victims from across Gauteng are lured to Maboneng through hookup apps, only to be kidnapped, robbed, or assaulted,” the committee said in a statement on Friday.

It added that the criminal tactics resemble those used in the Olorato Mongale murder case, where victims are tricked by strangers met online or in public places, then violently attacked.

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LGBTQIA+ community specifically targeted

It expressed particular concern over the recent arrest of a gang operating in Maboneng that allegedly targeted members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“The committee condemns these crimes in the strongest terms and calls for heightened vigilance from all citizens,” the statement read.

While commending the police for progress in the Mongale case, in which one suspect was recently killed during a shootout in KwaZulu-Natal, the committee stressed the importance of justice for all victims.

“While the committee commends the police for these breakthroughs… justice must be served for Olorato and all victims of these heinous crimes,” it said.

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Safety advice issued

The committee urged the public to take safety precautions when engaging with strangers on digital platforms.

“For their safety, the Committee advises the public to avoid meeting strangers from apps in isolated or unfamiliar areas, inform trusted contacts about meetup plans, verify identities through video calls before meeting, and immediately report suspicious activity to the Saps,” the statement concluded.

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