Fezile Ngubane breaks his silence after his name was cleared in Olorato Mongale murder
KWAZULU-NATAL - Fezile Ngubane says that he is relieved to have his name cleared.
He was one of three accused sought for the murder of Olorato Mongale.
Ngubane, who is on drugs and hasn't been out of Durban in years, says he was scared for his life after he heard he was a wanted suspect.
His father and siblings went looking for him to take him to the police to clear his name.
'I have a problem with drugs, but I am not a violent person, I have never lifted my hand on any woman,' he said.
Ngubane's father concurred, saying that as soon as police came to his home to look for his son, he knew that violence is not his son's modus operandi.
A man who is almost in his 40s is a father to a 17-year-old and makes his money through washing cars.
He sold his identity card to Philangenkosi Makhanya for R500 to buy drugs.
Ngubane, who is older than Makhanya, has known the now-deceased Makhanya for a very long time as they grew up in the same area.
He has sold his ID to Makhanya a few times, with no knowledge of what is done with his identity.
Police discovered that Ngubane's ID was used to RICA SIM cards to lure victims.
Makhanya was killed in an Amanzimtoti apartment after exchanging gunfire with police on Friday.
The white VW Polo seen picking up Mongale for a supposed date was found in Makhanya's father's panelbeating shop.
His father and mother were arrested, with the latter arrested after it was alleged that she tipped her son off about the police presence in their home.
Several IDs, including Ngubane's ID, were found to have been in Makhanya's possession.'
Ngubane's father has offered his condolences to Mongale's family and says he is grateful that both families were able to talk to each other to clear the air.
Mongale was laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Sunday
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Olorato Mongale's family pleads with SAns to show compassion to man cleared as suspect in her murder
BLOEMFONTEIN - The family of Olorato Mongale is pleading with South Africans to show compassion towards Fezile Ngubane, the man police cleared in connection with the 30-year-old's murder. Ngubane was taken in for questioning last week, but authorities have since confirmed that he played no role in Mongale's death. The master's student was laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Sunday, a week after her body was found dumped in Lombardy West in Gauteng. ALSO READ: - Olorato Mongale's mother vows to follow her daughter's advice and live life to the fullest - Olorato Mongale murder: After being cleared as a suspect, Fezile Ngubane vows to turn life around - Olorato Mongale murder: Family of man who turned himself in feared he would be killed by vigilantes Although Ngubane was cleared by police in the matter, Mongale's family said it was worried that the damage had already been done, fearing he may now face unfair stigma. They said that Mongale would not have wanted Ngubane to pay for a crime he didn't commit, adding that the 30-year-old would have wanted the KwaZulu-Natal man to rebuild his life. The Mongale family said that Ngubane was also a casualty, adding they believed that Olorato fought for justice from beyond the grave. "The most incredible thing that happened with Olorato is that as she goes, as she bows out, she made sure that a co-victim is liberated because he was wrongfully accused," said family spokesperson Chriselda Kananda. The family said they were still searching for closure, with the second suspect still on the run.
IOL News
a day ago
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After wrongful arrest, Fezile Ngubane shares his story: 'This was my last opportunity
A high school picture of Fezile Ngubane. The KwaZulu Natal man believes his vindication by SAPS in the murder of Olorato Mongale is an opportunity to turn his life around. Image: X Fezile Ngubane, the KwaZulu Natal man who was arrested and later released for the gruesome murder of Olorato Mongale insists he has never laid his hand on a woman. It was previously reported that Ngubane was handed over to authorities by his father at the KwaMashu police station after learning that his son was sought in connection with the murder case. According to police, a multidisciplinary investigation team, headed by Major General Mbuso Khumalo, Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in Gauteng, conducted thorough interviews and preliminary investigations that ultimately absolved Ngubane. He has been deemed a victim, having been unwittingly drawn into a sinister scheme, and has since been released from police custody. Ngubane, who is a father to a teenage girl and ekes a living by washing cars, was wrongly implicated in the horrific murder of Mongale, after a suspect in the murder, Philangenkosi Makhanya, allegedly used Ngubane's identity to register multiple SIM cards. Makhanya allegedly used the SIM cards registered in Ngubane's name communicate with various women. Speaking to journalists, a shaken Ngubane said despite struggling with drug addiction, he is not a violent person. "I would like South Africans to know that I have never been involved in crime, i have never been a person who is a fan of crime, I do not entertain crime. It is just that the addiction, the life that I have put myself in, is the one that is really hurting me. For these three days, as I was in the holding cells, I was shaking for my life, I saw that maybe this is my last opportunity in life to turn back, to do good," he said. 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 ✕ Ad Loading Most of my life, I have hurt my parents and I have hurt myself. I would like to say to South Africans, anybody who thought I was involved in this should know that I have never done anything wrong, I have never left home, I have always been at home with my parents and I have never laid a hand on a woman. I have one child in my life. I am not a violent person." Ngubane said from the time he was arrested, and went on to spend days in police holding cells, his neighbours have been vouching for him, because they know he is not a violent person. Ngubane said he would be happy to receive help to quit his reliance on intoxicating substances. "I would kindly be glad if help was offered," he told reporters. On Sunday, IOL reported that Deputy Police Minister Dr Polly Boshielo has called for society to help the authorities combat gender-based violence at Mongale's funeral in Bloemfontein. Boshielo extended her condolences to Mongale's family, particularly her mother, Poppy Mongale. "We may not have been able to prevent the death of your child, but one of her perpetrators is now in permanent custody and will never rise again to terrorise other women," she said. Olorato Mongale was recently found dead after going on a date. Image: X The police's National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team and Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit were activated immediately after the case was reported last Sunday. "Ladies and gentlemen, it was important that we get to these criminals first before they do, what they did to Olorato, to another woman. "To Poppy and the family, may you find solace in knowing that because of Olorato's spirit, Philangenkosi Makhanya will no longer terrorise women in South Africa." Boshielo emphasised that at least 20 cases are being linked to the suspects, with incidents reported in Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Midrand, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Lebowakgomo, and Johannesburg. Victims were lured under the guise of romantic interest, only to be robbed and, in some cases, kidnapped. She also reiterated that Ngubane, previously thought to be a suspect, has been cleared following evidence that he was a victim of identity theft. Cape Argus
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a day ago
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Law enforcement will not rest until another suspect in the murder of journalist Olorato Mongale is apprehended, Police Deputy Minister Dr Polly Boshielo said. The 30-year-old was killed last Sunday after leaving her Johannesburg home to go on a date, reportedly with her alleged killer. Her body was found hours later in Lombardy East, sparking a multi-provincial manhunt for the suspects. Speaking at her funeral service held at City Hall in Bloemfontein yesterday, Boshielo called on the public — and those who know the suspect — to advise him to hand himself over to the nearest police station. 'We will also not rest until we find Bongani Mthimkhulu. If you know him, advise him to surrender to the nearest police station,' she said. The deputy minister emphasised that SAPS is committed to combating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). 'The fight against gender-based violence and femicide is a national priority for the South African Police Service, and it is for this very reason that maximum resources are always deployed to investigate GBVF cases and also track down GBVF perpetrators,' she said. Upon learning of the case last Sunday, the SAPS swiftly mobilised resources, including the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team and the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit, to assist the Sandringham Police Station in tracking down a perpetrator known as 'John'. The investigation led authorities to a lodge in Kew, Johannesburg, and subsequently to KZN, where they discovered a VW Polo vehicle with traces of blood. The vehicle was linked to Philangenkosi Makhanya, who was identified as 'John'. On Friday morning, police located Makhanya at a block of apartments in Amanzimtoti. When police announced their arrival, he opened fire, and officers returned fire, resulting in his death at the scene. In his possession, police found more than 27 ID smart cards belonging to various men and about 20 cellphones. Boshielo revealed that Makhanya and his alleged accomplice, Bongani Mthimkhulu, operated a syndicate targeting women across various malls in the country. 'We are still searching for Bongani Mthimkhulu because we have narrowed our investigation and now know that Philangenkosi Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu were working together and they were a syndicate that was targeting women in various malls across the country,' she said. Syndicate The investigation has linked the duo to 22 cases of kidnapping and robbery, with women from across the country positively identifying them as the perpetrators. Highlighting the broader impact of the syndicate's activities, Boshielo noted that similar cases have been reported in Bloemfontein, Mbombela, Midrand, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Lebowakgomo, and Johannesburg. Addressing the family at the funeral service, Boshielo reassured them of the government's commitment to justice. 'To the family, to the mother Poppy, we may not have been able to prevent the death of your child but be rest assured that one of her perpetrators is in permanent custody and will never rise up again to terrorise other women,' she said. The deputy minister called for a collaborative effort to end GBVF. 'GBVF is a crime that happens behind closed doors between two people that know each other and where we cannot always be as the police. Let's all stand together and work together to put a stop to GBVF in our country,' the deputy minister said. Police clear Fezile Ngubane In a statement on Saturday, the SAPS informed the nation that Fezile Ngubane, who was initially identified as a suspect in a syndicate targeting young women, has been cleared. This follows his father handing him over to the KwaMashu Police Station on Friday after learning his son was sought by police in the Olorato murder case. 'A multidisciplinary team led by the deputy [police] commissioner for crime detection in Gauteng, Major General Mbuso Khumalo, the SAPS National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, and KZN and Gauteng investigating units have now cleared Ngubane following a thorough interview and preliminary investigation. 'According to a preliminary report, Ngubane washes cars for a living and stays in the same neighbourhood as deceased Philangenkosi Makhanya,' said the SAPS. Makhanya allegedly identified Ngubane as a soft target and took his ID smart card, using it to Rica Sim cards that Makhanya would use to commit his long list of kidnapping and robbery crimes targeting young women. Ngubane's ID was among the 27 smart cards found in Makhanya's possession. 'The SAPS has also released the parents of one of the two suspects in the case after their statements were taken down. Police are sitting with at least 20 cases where women have come forward identifying the suspects as those that kidnapped and robbed them. 'The search for Bongani Mthimkhulu continues, and police once again call on him to hand himself over at his nearest police station,' the police said on Saturday. –
