Thabsie Mabezane, a transgender woman and prominent LGBT+ activist in South Africa, recently experienced a harrowing incident that has shed light on the growing safety concerns surrounding dating apps. In her case, caution was her priority as she arranged a meet-up with a man she met on Tinder earlier this year. Mabezane insisted on meeting in a public space rather than at his residence, a decision influenced by personal safety considerations. However, what followed was a nightmarish ordeal that exposed the dangers faced by LGBT+ individuals in the world of online dating.
A Terrifying Abduction
As Mabezane waited at the agreed-upon meeting point in Johannesburg, an unregistered car pulled up, and a man wielding a firearm emerged. He forcibly coerced her into the vehicle, setting off a series of events that would haunt her for hours. She was taken to an abandoned building, where her kidnappers demanded that she call friends and request a ransom. Remarkably, one of the people she contacted, a traditional healer, managed to negotiate her release without payment after several harrowing hours.
Mabezane chose not to report the incident, a decision rooted in her fear that she would not be taken seriously by authorities—a concern shared by many victims of similar crimes.
Rising Concerns and Targeting of LGBT+ Individuals
Mabezane’s ordeal is not an isolated incident in South Africa. The country has witnessed a troubling increase in cases of dating app-related kidnappings and extortion. These incidents have sparked an urgent debate on how to protect online daters from falling victim to such crimes, especially within the LGBT+ community. Hate-fueled intolerance often motivates these attacks, according to both law enforcement and activists.
“The SAPS (South African Police Service) has noticed a trend where perpetrators are targeting unsuspecting individuals on social media networks, including dating apps,” said SAPS national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. The police have taken action against several syndicates targeting the gay and lesbian community, she added.
Calls for Action and the Role of Dating Apps
Local security firm Vision Tactical has called for the ban of the dating app Grindr in South Africa, citing an “alarming rise” in cases where gay men have been lured to locations and subjected to physical assault, robbery, and hostage situations. Grindr, in response, has integrated safety features such as video calling to verify user identities before meetings and daily safety warnings for South African users. The company is actively working with local partners to address the crisis.
However, some activists argue that banning Grindr would further marginalize the already vulnerable LGBT+ community. Mabezane expressed her concerns, stating, “There’s a problem with equality there,” emphasizing that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have access to safe dating experiences.
The disturbing rise in dating app-related kidnappings and extortion in South Africa underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and increased awareness, especially within the LGBT+ community. While addressing these issues, it is crucial to strike a balance between safeguarding users and ensuring equal access to dating platforms.