Latest news with #BonganiMthimkhulu
The Herald
05-06-2025
- The Herald
Manhunt continues for third suspect in Olorato Mongale murder case
Police are still searching for Bongani Mthimkhulu, the remaining suspect implicated in the murder of 30-year-old student Olorato Mongale. Last week, Mthimkhulu was identified as the third suspect in the case along with Philangenkosi Makhanya and Fezile Ngubane. Makhanya was killed during an altercation with police in KZN on Friday, while Ngubane was cleared by police at the weekend. Speaking to Sowetan, national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said Mthimkhulu had not yet been found. 'The police are still searching,' she said. Last week Mathe revealed that Makhanya and Mthimkhulu had been arrested for kidnapping and robbery in Brakpan in April, but were released on bail. ' On April 20 this year, we arrested them [Makhanya and Mthimkhulu] on a charge of kidnapping and robbery in the Brakpan area, where a vigilant police officer was conducting his regular patrols. He came across a suspicious-looking vehicle, a VW Polo and when he confronted the suspects, he found that they had just kidnapped a woman and robbed her.
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- The Citizen
Police hunt second suspect in Olorato Mongale's murder
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. –
The Herald
31-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Fezile Ngubane is a victim, not involved in Olorato Mongale's killing: police
KwaZulu-Natal man Fezile Ngubane who was initially identified as a suspect sought by police in the Olorato Mongale murder and said to be in a syndicate targeting young women has been cleared. Mongale was last seen leaving her flat in northern Johannesburg for a date with a man who called himself 'John' on Sunday afternoon. Her body was later discovered in Lombardy East near Alexandra. The white VW Polo used to pick up Mongale was found at a panel-beating workshop in Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday. Police initially identified Philangenkosi Makhanya and Ngubane as people of interest in the murder. On Thursday morning police identified a third man, Bongani Mthimkhulu, who is a friend of Makhanya, as an additional suspect. National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said on Saturday Ngubane's father handed him over to KwaMashu police on Friday when he learnt his son was being sought by police in the Mongale murder case. 'A multidisciplinary team led by the deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection in Gauteng, Maj-Gen Mbuso Khumalo, the SAPS national anti-kidnapping task team, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provincial investigating unit (PIU) have now cleared Ngubane after a thorough interview and preliminary investigation.' A preliminary report found Ngubane washes cars for a living and stays in the same neighbourhood as Makhanya, who died during a confrontation with police at an Amanzimtoti flat on Friday. Mathe said Makhanya allegedly identified Ngubane as a soft target and took his ID smart card and used it to Rica SIM cards. These were alleged used by Makhanya to commit kidnapping and robbery involving young women. Makhanya is alleged to have also used Ngubane's bank card at various clothing stores. Ngubane's ID was found as part of a batch of 27 ID smart cards found on Friday in Makhanya's possession at a flat belonging to a man who rents vehicles. Mathe said the parents of one of the two suspects were released after they deposed statements. 'Police are sitting with at least 20 cases where women have come forward identifying the suspects as those that kidnapped and robbed them. Some of these cases were reported in Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Midrand, Ogies and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, Pretoria and Johannesburg.' She said the search for Mthimkhulu continues. TimesLIVE
The Herald
30-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Main suspect in Olorato Mongale's murder dies in shootout with cops
The main suspect in the murder of Wits postgraduate student Olorato Mongale has been fatally shot by police in KwaZulu-Natal. Without naming him, national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said he was found by police hiding out in a residential complex in Amanzimtoti. "When police announced their arrival, he shot at them. Police returned fire and he was fatally wounded," she said at 4am on Friday, adding provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is at the scene. Mkhwanazi told eNCA the suspect had gone to the apartment to rent a car from someone living there on Thursday morning. The rental person declined to do so due to his high profile after wanted notices were issued by police. He stayed there for the day. According to the resident, he confessed to the murder and displayed signs of being suicidal. Mongale was last seen leaving her apartment in northern Johannesburg for a date with a man who called himself John on Sunday afternoon. Her body was discovered in Lombardy near Alexandra. The white VW Polo used to pick up Mongale was found at a panel-beating workshop in Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday. The owner of the vehicle, an elderly man, was arrested and police identified Philangenkosi Makhanya and Fezile Ngubane as people of interest in the murder. On Thursday morning, police identified a third man, Bongani Mthimkhulu, who is a friend of Makhanya, as an additional suspect. Mathe disclosed later on Thursday that Makhanya and Mthimkhulu were out on bail after their arrest in Brakpan last month for kidnapping and robbing a woman. After a court appearance, they were released from custody on April 26. The parents of one of the three suspects are in custody. Police said: "The father is the owner of the VW polo while the mother is believed to have tipped off the son that police were at the parents' house looking for him. The action by the mother enabled the son to evade arrest on Wednesday night. When police arrived in Inanda where he stays, he had left." Mathe urged anyone who spots the other two suspects to immediately contact Brig Edwin Nama on 082-778-9035. TimesLIVE
IOL News
30-05-2025
- IOL News
SAPS after syndicate targeting women in Gauteng malls
The police have confirmed that there is a syndicate that targets young women in and around Gauteng malls. This comes as the search for three suspects linked to 30-year-old Olorato Mongale's murder continues to intensify. Image: Social Media Police are investigating a syndicate targeting women in and around Gauteng shopping malls. This comes as Saps has identified three suspects, Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya, and Bongani Mthimkhulu, linked to the murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale, originally from the Free State province. On Wednesday, the SAPS National Crime Intelligence Unit, working with other agencies, confirmed the arrest of the owner of a white VW Polo, which was spotted at the residence of the former Wits University student who was found dead after reportedly going on a date with the alleged driver of the vehicle. 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 Two of the three suspects, Bongani Mthimkhulu and Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya are being sought by the police over the murder of Olorato Mongale. Image: SAPS On Thursday, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe updated the media on Mongale's murder case, saying they are on the trail of an alleged syndicate that targets and kills women. "In terms of the Olorato murder case, we have registered commendable progress insofar as this case is concerned. We do officially confirm that we are investigating a syndicate. We do believe that we have broken the back of this syndicate that is targeting women, especially young women out there, using the same modus operandi. They propose these young women, usually in malls," she said. According to the police, these criminals approach women on social media and request to take them out on dates, and when they agree, they are robbed and killed. "The perpetrators approach them, request to take them out on dates. They propose them and then rob them. We do have a case where we have arrested two of the three suspects that we are looking for. "On the 20th of April this year, we arrested Bongani Mthimkhulu as well as Phila Makhanya on a charge of kidnapping and robbery in the Brakpan area, where a vigilant police officer was conducting his regular patrols and came across a suspicious-looking vehicle, which is a VW Polo, the same VW Polo," she stated. The white VW Polo that was discovered in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Image: SAPS Reacting to the seizure of the vehicle and the identification of the alleged suspects, family spokesperson, Criselda Kananda, welcomed the arrest, adding that the family is still shaken and devastated by the events that have led to their child's death. "As can be expected, we are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved daughter, Olorato Mongale. We wish to express our deepest gratitude to the police services for their diligent work in locating the car involved in the criminal act that led to her untimely death. While we take a small measure of comfort in this progress, we remain devastated by the fact that the suspects are still at large." Meanwhile, Police Minister Seno Mchunu has commended SAPS for progress in the investigation into the tragic murder of Mongale. On Thursday, Mchunu stated: 'We commend the SAPS National Crime Intelligence Unit, the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, and all multidisciplinary units involved - including the Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit, DPCI KZN Tracking Team, Durban Metro Police K-9 Unit, and the private security teams that supported the operation. The seizure of the vehicle allegedly used in this heinous crime and the questioning of its owner, who is currently under police custody, mark a crucial step toward justice. This remarkable progress reaffirms the importance of coordinated intelligence and the collective resolve to combat violent crime in our communities." Fezile Ngubane is also wanted in connection with the murder of Olorato Mongale. Image: SAPS Mongale went on a date with her alleged killer, who picked her up from her residential complex, driving a white VW Polo on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The alleged killer(s) then drove with her to Alexandra, where they proceeded to Kew, and between Alexandra and Lombardy West in Johannesburg, where her body was found. Cape Times
