Latest news with #WitwatersrandUniversity
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Suspect in South African student's murder killed in police shootout
JOHANNESBURG — A suspect wanted for the murder of a South African university student has been killed in a shootout with police. The man had been linked to the death of Olorato Mongale, whose body was found in Johannesburg on Sunday, about two hours after she was reported missing having gone on a date. In the early hours of Friday morning, police officers found the main suspect hiding at a residential complex in the coastal town of Amanzimtoti, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said. The suspect, who has not been named by the police, shot at the officers, who returned fire and killed him, Brigadier Mathe added. Regional police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said that at the time of the suspect's death, he had 28 ID cards and a dozen mobile phones in his possession. Ms Mongale's death has sparked a fierce debate about the levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. The country has one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence in the world. In an impassioned statement, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu called Ms Mongale's killing "inhumane" and "gruesome", adding: "To all men, this is a plea - simple, urgent, and human: Please, stop killing women." While continuing the search for two other men allegedly linked to the murder, the police took the parents of the deceased suspect into custody. The suspect's mother is accused of enabling him to "evade arrest" by tipping him off about the police's presence at her house. The police also said the suspect's father is the owner of a VW Polo allegedly used in Ms Mongale's murder. The vehicle, which has been seized by the police, had traces of blood inside it, Brig Mathe said. The suspect's parents were questioned in custody but have now been released, said commissioner Mkhwanazi. Earlier this week, the police named the three suspects linked to the killing as Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu. Two of them — Makhanya and Mr Mthimkhulu — were last month arrested for kidnapping and robbing a woman in KwaZulu-Natal, using the same VW Polo involved in Ms Mongale's murder, police said. Both men had been freed on bail. As part of their investigation into the killing, the police have identified a criminal gang or "syndicate" who have been targeting women in malls "for kidnapping and robbery", said police spokesperson Mathe. "They propose them, request to take them out on a date. When they agree, that is when they plan to rob them," she added. When Ms Mongale was last seen on Sunday, she was on a date with a man she had met a few days earlier at a shopping center. CCTV footage showed her leaving a location in Kew, Johannesburg, and walking towards a white VW Polo with fake license plates. The 30-year-old's friends said she was invited for a date by a man only identified as John, who she had met in Johannesburg, where she was studying for a postgraduate degree at Witwatersrand University. She texted one of her friends shortly before leaving home, saying that she was excited and getting ready for her date. But police later found her body in an open field, sparking public outrage and calls for justice. Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda said Ms Mongale's body was "brutally violated". A candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday evening in Lombardy West, at the site where her body was found. Family and friends have described her as an outspoken, bubbly woman who "lived with purpose and love", local media reported. — BBC
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
South Africa Police react to murder of Olorato Mongale wey die afta a date wit her killer
A 30-year-old South African university graduate Olorato Mongale bin meet her death wen she bin go on a date wit some men wey pick her from her residence. Di South Africa police bin first declare Mongale missing for 27 May, 2025, wey be two days afta she follow di men go on a date but she no return. Dem later find her deadi bodi for wia dem dump her for open field afta dem allegedly kill her. According to di South African police, dem don declare two suspects wanted in connection to di murder of Mongale. Dem discova Mongale bodi on Sunday for Lombardy, north of Johannesburg, just two hours afta di police report say she dey miss since go on di date. Mogale dey study for a postgraduate degree for Witwatersrand University. She bin call her friend say one man wey she meet for Johannesburg wey identify im name as John bin invite her to a date, and she dey excited. How dem murder Olorato Mongale and wetin police find According to di police for South Africa, di suspects bin pick Mongale on a date from her residential complex as dem drive inside a white VW Polo. Na from her house for Johannesburg, Mongale bin follow dem at around 15:00 pm on Sunday, 25 May 2025. Dem drive wit di victim for di town of Alexandra, proceed to Kew and between Alexandra and Lombardy West for Johannesburg, according to di police. "Dis man allegedly murder Olorato and dump her body." "During investigations e show say di VW Polo get fake registration number plates." Dis police say dia National Crime Intelligence Unit don find di vehicle wey di men use commit di crime and dem don seize am. Dem reveal say na for panel beater side dem find di suspects car for Durban. "Di investigation first lead di team to a lodge for Kew, Johannesburg wia two suspects bin book a room." "Further intelligence lead dem to KwaMashu for Durban to di home of one of di suspects. Dem later find di suspects vehicle for panel beater workshop." South Africa police add say afta dia analysis, dem find traces of blood for inside di vehicle. Although di police don arrest di elderly man wey dem believe say e get di car, but di two suspects dey on di run. South Africa declare suspects wanted South African police don begin dey hunt di suspects wey get involvement for di murder of di university student say they have broken up a gang targeting women in shopping centres. Na Sunday dem see Mongale last wit di men, and report say she bin meet dem a few days earlier for one shopping centre. Late on Wednesday, South Africa police name three suspects wey dem believe fit dey involve for her death. "We don break back of a syndicate wey dey target women, especially young women, for malls... for kidnapping and robbery," di police tok tok pesin Brig Athlenda Mathe say. Di CCTV footage wey police get bin show as she comot from di location for Kew, Johannesburg, and she waka towards a white VW Polo, with fake licence plates. South Africa police bin name Fezile Ngubane and Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya as suspects. Meanwhile, di police say suspects don use di same vehicle bifor wia dem kidnap and rob a woman for KwaZulu-Natal. Olorato Mongale family and South Africa authority react Di BBC report say Mongale Family tok tok pesin Criselda Kananda, lament say her bodi dey "brutally violated". Family and friends don describe her as an outspoken, bubbly woman wey "live wit purpose and love", local media report. Speaking on behalf of di South Africa Police Ministry, di Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu say di terrible horrific act shock di nation and dey vex dem. Di minister also condemn di 'gruesome and inhumane killing of Mongale and say make men "stop to dey kill women." "Di seizure of di vehicle allegedly use for di crime and di investigation of di owner, wey currently dey under police custody, na crucial step toward justice." Mongale death don cause serious gbege and debate about di levels of violence wey women for South Africa dey face. About 137 women have been killed and more than 1,000 raped in South Africa between January and March, according to the latest crime statistics.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
S Africa police name suspects linked to murder of student on date
Police in South Africa have named three men believed to be directly involved in the murder of a university student who had gone on a date. Olorato Mongale's body was discovered on Sunday in Lombardy, north of Johannesburg, about two hours after she was reported missing. Police late on Wednesday said they had seized a VW Polo that was allegedly used in the murder of the 30-year-old student. "The vehicle was found with traces of blood inside at a panel beater workshop in Phoenix, Durban," police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said. One man, who police believed was the owner of the vehicle, has been arrested. Photographs of three other suspects - Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu - who are said to be on the run, have been released by police. Brig Mathe said the men were "dangerous" and cautioned members of the public not to come near them. A reminder of South Africa's femicide problem South Africa: Violence against women like a war "These suspects are warned to hand themselves over at their nearest police station." Ms Mongale was last seen on Sunday in the company of a man she had met a few days earlier at a mall. CCTV footage showed her leaving a location in Kew, Johannesburg, and walking towards a white VW Polo, with fake licence plates. Her friends said she was invited for a date by a man only identified as John, who she met in Johannesburg, where she was studying for a postgraduate degree at Witwatersrand University. She texted one of her friends shortly before leaving home, saying that she was excited and getting ready for her date. But police later found her body in an open field, sparking public outrage and calls for justice. Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda said Ms Mongale's body was "brutally violated." A candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday evening in Lombardi West, at the site where the body was found dumped. Family and friends have described her as an outspoken, bubbly woman who "lived with purpose and love", local media reported. Ms Mongale was a journalism graduate from Rhodes University and worked briefly as a multimedia reporter at the TimesLIVE news website. While working as a journalist, she covered the murder of Karabo Mokoena - a young woman who was murdered by her boyfriend in 2017. Ms Mongale's killing has sparked a fierce debate about the levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. It is the latest femicide in a country which has a particular problem with femicide and violence against women. In 2020, an average of one woman died at the hands of her intimate partner every eight hours, according to a study by the University of the Free State. In 2019, South Africa ranked among the five countries with the highest rates of the murder of women, according to the United Nations. The country has one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world, with rape being the most reported crime against children. Chris Brown concert shines spotlight on violence against women in South Africa Missing South Africa girl: Our children are scared Sexual violence in South Africa: 'I was raped, now I fear for my daughters' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
S Africa police name suspects linked to murder of student on date
Police in South Africa have named three men believed to be directly involved in the murder of a university student who had gone on a date. Olorato Mongale's body was discovered on Sunday in Lombardy, north of Johannesburg, about two hours after she was reported missing. Police late on Wednesday said they had seized a VW Polo that was allegedly used in the murder of the 30-year-old student. "The vehicle was found with traces of blood inside at a panel beater workshop in Phoenix, Durban," police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said. One man, who police believed was the owner of the vehicle, has been arrested. Photographs of three other suspects - Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu - who are said to be on the run, have been released by police. Brig Mathe said the men were "dangerous" and cautioned members of the public not to come near them. A reminder of South Africa's femicide problem South Africa: Violence against women like a war "These suspects are warned to hand themselves over at their nearest police station." Ms Mongale was last seen on Sunday in the company of a man she had met a few days earlier at a mall. CCTV footage showed her leaving a location in Kew, Johannesburg, and walking towards a white VW Polo, with fake licence plates. Her friends said she was invited for a date by a man only identified as John, who she met in Johannesburg, where she was studying for a postgraduate degree at Witwatersrand University. She texted one of her friends shortly before leaving home, saying that she was excited and getting ready for her date. But police later found her body in an open field, sparking public outrage and calls for justice. Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda said Ms Mongale's body was "brutally violated." A candlelight vigil was held on Wednesday evening in Lombardi West, at the site where the body was found dumped. Family and friends have described her as an outspoken, bubbly woman who "lived with purpose and love", local media reported. Ms Mongale was a journalism graduate from Rhodes University and worked briefly as a multimedia reporter at the TimesLIVE news website. While working as a journalist, she covered the murder of Karabo Mokoena - a young woman who was murdered by her boyfriend in 2017. Ms Mongale's killing has sparked a fierce debate about the levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. It is the latest femicide in a country which has a particular problem with femicide and violence against women. In 2020, an average of one woman died at the hands of her intimate partner every eight hours, according to a study by the University of the Free State. In 2019, South Africa ranked among the five countries with the highest rates of the murder of women, according to the United Nations. The country has one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world, with rape being the most reported crime against children. Chris Brown concert shines spotlight on violence against women in South Africa Missing South Africa girl: Our children are scared Sexual violence in South Africa: 'I was raped, now I fear for my daughters' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
