Olorato Mongale: Suspects previously arrested for kidnapping and robbery, now linked to crime syndicate
Police say two of the three men wanted for her murder were arrested previously for allegedly kidnapping and robbing a woman in Brakpan, and are part of a syndicate
Police believe that the trio linked to Olorato Mongale's murder are part of a bigger syndicate targeting women.
Police further confirmed that two of the suspects currently on the run, Bongani Mthimkhulu and Philangenkosi Makhanya, were previously arrested and charged for kidnapping and robbery.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said Mthimkhulu and Makhanya were spotted by a police officer on patrol on April 20 in Brakpan. They were driving a white Volkswagen Polo that has since been seized by police in KwaZulu-Natal.
The accused appeared in court and were released on bail on April 26.
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IOL News
6 hours ago
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‘She was with boyfriend': Teen girl charged with perjury after false rape claim while hitchhiking
Police blue lights Police investigators established that the girl had not been raped, and she eventually confessed that she had visited her male friend and, fearing her parents' reaction, she chose to lie about being raped. Image: File Police in Mpumalanga have charged a 16-year-old girl with perjury, after she reported a case of rape. In the teenager's case, she alleged that she was raped while hitchhiking earlier this week. Police launched a manhunt for two men who were apparently travelling in a black Volkswagen Polo. In an update on Friday, provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said investigations have revealed that the young woman was fabricating the entire story. 'The family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit immediately launched an investigation into the case, which had attracted significant public attention,' said Ndubane. 'However, during the course of their investigation, it was established that no rape had occurred. The girl eventually confessed that she had visited a male friend and, fearing her parents' reaction, had chosen to lie about being raped.' In her original report to the police, the teenager alleged that she was hitchhiking from Dullstroom to Lydenburg when a black Volkswagen Polo 'with two male occupants speaking English' offered her a lift. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She claimed that after passing Coromandel, the driver diverted into a secluded area, where she was rendered unconscious by a cloth with a chemical smell. 'Upon regaining consciousness, she claimed the passenger was raping her and later offered her money, which she refused,' said Ndubane. 'These claims have since been proven false by the investigating officers.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Meanwhile, the acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has expressed deep disappointment over the false report. Mkhwanazi issued a stern warning to community members on the repercussions of making false statements to the police. 'We will not show mercy to individuals who open false cases. The crime statistics for the last quarter of 2024/2025 indicate an increase in sexual offences. It is therefore extremely concerning and disheartening when people abuse the system by reporting fake cases,' he said.
Eyewitness News
6 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
The normalisation of femicide in South Africa
Bonolo Mahlatsi 6 June 2025 | 12:09 Femicide Gender-based violence (GBV) Women's Month A memorial service was held for Olorato Mongale in Bloemfontein on 29 May 2025. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN Femicide, gender-based violence (GBV), and violence in general have become an integral part of life for South African women. This horrendous crime is a national crisis, plaguing society as a whole. Despite South Africa's robust legal framework, policies and strategic plans aimed at tackling GBV and femicide, such scourges are still escalating and appear to be deeply rooted in societal norms. The epidemic of femicide that South Africa is and has been facing is misogyny amplified, normalised, and reproduced. It has become normal for women to be violated and ostracised while already being vulnerable. The violence against women, and its normalisation, has once again come under the spotlight with the murder of Olorato Mongale, who was killed by a man she went on a first date with. The unfortunate and untimely passing of Olorato, a reminder of what South Africa has become for women, hit home for many individuals, including her friends, who tried to find her after her phone location indicated she was in a dangerous place. Upon realising she was missing, social media posts were circulated seeking assistance from the public about her whereabouts. Olorato was a postgraduate student. Her body was found in Lombardy West in Johannesburg on Sunday, less than two hours after she was picked up. THE SOCIAL MEDIA NARRATIVE However, as if the murder of yet another young woman was not bad enough, it was unfortunate to read the comments posted on social media, such as: "Why did she go out with a stranger?" "Why did she not drive herself to the date?" The posts blamed her for not taking extra measures to avoid putting herself in danger. The comments continued despite people learning about the safety measures Olorato had put in place, including sharing her location with friends. The comments suggest she did not know any better. Another grim and unfortunate instance of femicide was that of Sbusiso Lawrence, a KwaZulu-Natal man who took a disturbing video of himself 'unaliving' (killing) his partner in December 2024. Lawrence's video sparked outrage after he shared the traumatic incident on social media, where he attempted to justify his actions, saying he was triggered by being mistreated in their relationship and was seen with blood on his face. After confessing, he was later found hanging from a tree near the murder scene. The normalisation there was in people asking, "Why did she leave him? He was a good man." And even when it was later revealed that he had previously attempted to unalive her, negative remarks were still made about the victim. The narrative of victim-blaming became apparent following that incident. Again, we observed social media comments that her actions provoked his behaviour, which led to her death. The social media commentary is an invisible finger-pointing exercise that serves to blame women. And there are many other cases. It is such behaviour that normalises and perpetuates violence against women. There is advice cautioning women to avoid becoming victims, such as 'don't walk alone at night, don't wear provocative clothing or short skirts'. However, the same cautions aren't used against men to say they shouldn't violate women. The unfortunate incidents show that social media has unfortunately become a breeding ground for victim-blaming. Victim-blaming has become a normative part of our thinking that goes unchallenged. Social media commentary that pushes the victim-blaming narrative fosters a culture of negativity on social media and only adds salt to the wound, which is another form of deviant behaviour illustrating gendered stereotypes. These narratives pushed through social media commentary obstruct sympathy and support for those who have suffered and those afflicted. Start confronting femicide and GBV to alleviate the dangers Generally, we observe the normalisation through social codes and social media posts that place the blame on women. What is unfortunate is that despite having such social codes that essentially spell out the terms in which women should conduct themselves, all in the name of being 'safe,' women still become victims of femicide and GBV. The normalisation of femicide and GBV is disheartening and inhumane; we need to start confronting it to alleviate the dangers they pose. How many mass movements will it take for women's voices to be heard that we live in constant fear day and night? Why should we suffer at the misogynistic hands of men? Such deviant behaviour cannot in any way be normalised. The danger of continuously normalising such behaviour will get to a point where it will no longer feel wrong. We will soon be celebrating Women's Month, with our faces bowed with despondency from heartbreaking news we would have learned about since the year started and from previous years. Shortly after that, we will be celebrating 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, aware of the constant fear women live in. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the Portfolio Committee on Women should start stepping up intentionally and practically advocating for women (young and old) and uproot the persisting issue with the help of all women to mobilise our cry for help, safety, and not having to live in constant fear. Until that happens, as South African women, we will live in fear and be failed, which is appalling. Do we deserve to be treated like we are sub-human? Bonolo Mahlatsi is a Senior Student Experience Officer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and a Sociology master's graduate, UFS. She writes in her personal capacity.
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Santaco warns against hitchhiking after teenage girl was raped in VW Polo
Santaco has urged community members to avoid hitchhiking and using unaccredited transport modes, following the brutal rape of a 16-year-old Mpumalanga girl. Image: Paballo Thekiso The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has strongly condemned an incident where a 16-year-old girl from Mpumalanga was raped after she was picked by a vehicle on the road where she was hitchhiking. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the teenager was given a lift by strangers, who later attacked her in the vehicle. In an interview with IOL, Santaco spokesperson Rebecca Phala said police should work around the clock to track the assailants who were travelling in a Volkswagen Polo. "As Santaco we are disheartened, yet another woman has been violated at the hands of the transportation sector, after seeking transport to move from point A to point B. Again, it reminds us of how unsafe the country is, and we would want to wish her a speedy recovery. We hope she receives psycho-social support for the trauma she has endured," said Phala. "We want to use this opportunity to reiterate our clarion call for South Africans to always use authorised transport to move. Go to your nearest taxi rank, get a taxi that has a sticker and is clearly labelled, so that you are safe, so that we avoid having more victims such as the young woman." Santaco spokesperson Rebecca Phala Image: Supplied "We want to really say to her, we are sorry and without sounding like we are blaming the victims. We want to say to South Africans, let us always be cautious. Let's use public transport that is accredited and has operating licences, like taxis and other modes, so that we are safe, and we arrive where we are going safely." Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Phala said in general terms, community members who hitchhike run the risk of losing their possessions, or getting harmed in vehicles that are not easily traceable. "You run the risk of losing your belongings, the risk of even losing your life. Look at the cases that have been reported even in the space of e-hailing ... the cases are very concerning. You run the risk of being affected mentally because of the traumatic incidents. Times are so difficult," she said. Phala added that even when community members do not have sufficient transport fares, they are encouraged to discuss with taxi drivers, without abusing the facility. "If you go to a local taxi rank, and tell them I am short of R2, they will not leave you behind. Of course, we are not saying people must abuse the humanity. We need to work together so that we restore the dignity of safety in out transportation sector," she added. IOL previously reported that the horrific Mpumalanga incident occurred in Lydenburg on Sunday, at approximately 4pm. Police said the teenager was travelling from Dullstroom. 'According to the (police) report, the female victim was from Dullstroom, heading to Lydenburg when a black Volkswagen Polo, with two male occupants, stopped and offered her a lift. She then accepted the offer,' said Mdhluli. After passing Coromandel, the driver of the VW Polo diverted the vehicle into a secluded area. 'The passenger allegedly covered her mouth with a cloth that emitted a chemical smell, causing her to lose consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, she realised the passenger was busy raping her,' said Mdhluli. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. A case docket was opened and assigned to the family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit for investigation. The perpetrators are still at large, and police are appealing to members of the public who may have information that may assist in locating and apprehending the suspects to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Gabsile Mlangeni on 078 751 3463. Alternatively, people with vital information may share the details by calling the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send details via the My SAPS App. 'All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous,' said Mdhluli. Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has given assurance that the perpetrators will be hunted down and brought to book. In 2023, Limpopo provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, cautioned community members against hitch-hiking, and giving lifts to hitch-hikers, following different criminal activities recorded in the province. In the first incident, a 55-year-old man who was hitch-hiking was given a lift in a Suzuki Swift vehicle near the Mall of the North in Polokwane. The 55-year-old man was travelling to Ga-Dikgale. 'It is alleged that three unknown suspects (the occupants of the car) took the wrong direction, stopped, produced pistols and a knife, and robbed him of all his belongings such as a cellphone, wallet with cash worth R400, and bank cards, all valued at R5,400 and ordered him to run into the bushes,' provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said at the time. The robbers then drove off with the man's possessions. In another incident, which took place outside Seshego, two travellers aged 24 and 25 were hitch-hiking and they were given a lift in a silver Toyota Tazz Conquest vehicle.
