Olorato Mongale's family struggles to come to terms with her tragic death - ‘Our worst fears came true'
Her untimely death has left South Africa grappling with a profound question: 'When will women truly be safe?'
The family of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale, an only child, remains in disbelief following her tragic death. They say each day presents new challenges since the discovery of her lifeless body.
Mongale's life was abruptly and violently taken on Sunday afternoon, just two hours after she informed friends she was going on a date with a man she had recently met at a mall in the Free State. The man reportedly contacted her again while visiting Johannesburg, and she agreed to meet him.
Family spokesperson and close friend, Criselda Kananda, told Drum Magazine that Mongale had taken safety precautions. She informed her friends of the date and asked them to check in with her every 30 minutes. Despite these measures, Mongale's life was still cruelly stolen.
'Olorato knew the risks women face in this country. That's why she asked her friends to keep checking in while she was out,' said Kananda.
'When an hour passed and no one could reach her, her friends contacted her parents. A missing person poster was created and circulated.'
At that point, the family still hoped for her safe return.
'We were worried because her phone was off, but we remained hopeful. It had only been about three hours since she left her apartment,' Kananda explained.
'Unfortunately, our worst fears came true when her body was discovered by the roadside in Lombardy, just two hours after she left for the date.'
The family is devastated.
'There are no words to describe the pain we're going through. Every day brings a new challenge,' said Kananda.
'We refuse to let Olorato become another statistic, a young woman discarded on the street. She worked so hard for her future, for her country, and for women everywhere. We cannot accept this as normal.'
Olorato Mongale was described as a vibrant, ambitious woman who knew what she wanted from life. She had earned an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University and worked briefly as a multimedia journalist for TimesLIVE. She was pursuing a Master's degree in ICT Policy and Regulation at the University of the Witwatersrand at the time of her death.
'She was her mother's best friend. I cannot imagine how her mom will carry on from this,' Kananda added.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a manhunt is underway for three suspects believed to be involved in Mongale's murder.
'The investigation led us to a lodge in Kew, Johannesburg, where two suspects had booked a room,' said Mathe. 'Further intelligence took us to KwaMashu in Durban, to the home of one of the suspects. The vehicle used by the suspects was found at a panel beater workshop, and upon inspection, SAPS forensic experts discovered traces of blood inside.'
An elderly man believed to be the owner of the vehicle has been arrested. However, police are still searching for three men suspected to have been directly involved in the murder: Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya, and Bongani Mthimkhulu.
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