Olorato Mongale's killers were involved in 22 cases that targeted women, Deputy Police Minister tells mourners
Olorato Mongale, the 30-year-old former Wits student who was killed after going on a date last Sunday has been described by her family as a fighter, who fought to the end of her life.
This is how her mother Basetsana Mongale described her daughter as she paid her last respects during an emotional send off as scores of mourners, including friends, relatives and community members gathered at the Bloemfontein City Hall for her funeral on Sunday.
Last week police named three suspects linked to the killing as Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu.
On Friday Makhanya shot at police, who returned fire and killed him at a residential complex in Amanzimtoti while Ngubane was cleared in the investigation after police established that he had also been a victim of Makhanya and Mthimkhulu.
Government officials and political leaders also attended the funeral.
"We might not understand the ways of life, but she fought...My daughter was extra careful and would not have allowed a total stranger to fetch her from her gate, I know that she is a fighter.
"When I saw her at the government mortuary, I could see that my daughter fought; she fought until her nails broke off..., We might not understand the ways of life, but she fought," Basetsana Mongale said.
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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
IOL News
a day ago
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Olorato Mongale, the 30-year-old former Wits student who was killed after going on a date last Sunday has been described by her family as a fighter, who fought to the end of her life. This is how her mother Basetsana Mongale described her daughter as she paid her last respects during an emotional send off as scores of mourners, including friends, relatives and community members gathered at the Bloemfontein City Hall for her funeral on Sunday. Last week police named three suspects linked to the killing as Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu. On Friday Makhanya shot at police, who returned fire and killed him at a residential complex in Amanzimtoti while Ngubane was cleared in the investigation after police established that he had also been a victim of Makhanya and Mthimkhulu. Government officials and political leaders also attended the funeral. "We might not understand the ways of life, but she daughter was extra careful and would not have allowed a total stranger to fetch her from her gate, I know that she is a fighter. "When I saw her at the government mortuary, I could see that my daughter fought; she fought until her nails broke off..., We might not understand the ways of life, but she fought," Basetsana Mongale said.
IOL News
2 days ago
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Deputy Police Minister highlights Olorato Mongale's killers linked to 22 cases
Olorato Mongale was recently found dead after going on a date. Image: X Olorato Mongale, the 30-year-old former Wits student who was killed after going on a date last Sunday has been described by her family as a fighter who fought to the end of her life. This is how her mother Basetsana Mongale described her daughter as she paid her last respects during an emotional send off as scores of mourners, including friends, relatives and community members gathered at the Bloemfontein City Hall for her funeral on Sunday. Last week police named three suspects linked to the killing including Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu. On Friday Makhanya shot at police, who returned fire and killed him at a residential complex in Amanzimtoti while Ngubane was cleared in the investigation after police established that he had also been a victim of Makhanya and Mthimkhulu. Government officials and political leaders also attended the funeral. "We might not understand the ways of life, but she fought. My daughter was extra careful and would not have allowed a total stranger to fetch her from her gate, I know that she is a fighter. "When I saw her at the government mortuary, I could see that my daughter fought; she fought until her nails broke off. We might not understand the ways of life but she fought," Basetsana 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 Speaking during the service, deputy minister of police Polly Boshielo, condemned the increase in the country's GBV rate saying: 'We will also not rest until we find Mthimkhulu. (KZN Police Commissioner) Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of KZN said they will not rest until they find Bongani. "We are still searching for him. He and Philangenkosi Makhanya were working together and they were a syndicate that were targeting women in various malls across the country. Our investigation is now standing at 22 cases that they are linked to these two criminals. Women from across the country have positively identified them as the pair that kidnapped and robbed them," Boshielo said. Family spokesperson, Dr Criselda Kananda said Olorato was a visionary. Wits University's representative Jerome Sethemba added that Mongale was a dedicated student whose work spoke of her academic abilities and way of life. 'Olorato Mongale was beautiful in so many ways, in every way possible that you can imagine. She was unique in many ways. You could meet her by the cafe near the library and she would already know who you are. "Olorato was with us for a very short time but she had everything that a Witsie is; excellence and determination," Sethemba said. Meanwhile, police have indicated that they are still searching for Mthimkulu and have called on him to hand himself over at the nearest police station. Cape Times
