The three Gauteng men accused of running a catfish operation, abducting and extorting men, have provisionally abandoned their bail bids.

Mlungisi Mbutu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where it emerged they had warrants of arrest against them in Johannesburg.

The three are facing kidnapping, extortion and robbery with aggravating circumstances charges.

They are accused of targeting the LGBQT+ community through a popular dating app, luring victims to hotels before attacking them.

At their last appearance it was reported that more victims had come forward.

Regional National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the State was dealing with six charges as the results of the seventh identity parade had been negative.

“The six cases are, one case in Woodstock, two in the CBD, one in Camps Bay and also one in Durbanville and Brackenfell.

“The accused abandoned their right to bail and the State has decided it will no longer apply or request a centralisation certificate as it is no longer necessary to do so.

“All the cases will be heard in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court,” said Ntabazalila. The hearing was postponed to October 15 for further investigation.

Ntabazalila said the ongoing investigation would include digital data analysis which could assist the State to add charges related to cybercrime.

Representing the accused, Nceba Jack said his clients had abandoned bail in order to deal with the warrants.

Zulu and Ngwenya face allegations of kidnapping and robbery.

Jack said: “The State is at liberty to bring any charges and as we have indicated before, it’s another thing to prove those charges. They are facing that problem now.

“The second part is that the bail is abandoned provisionally because there is a matter in Johannesburg for which a warrant is issued and we must go and cancel that warrant.”

Cape Times

#scammed

Accused online dating robbers drop their bail bids