Update: The hunt for justice in the tragic murder of Olorato Mongale took a decisive turn on Friday morning when police in KwaZulu-Natal shot and killed the prime suspect, Philangenkosi Makhanya, in Amanzimtoti, just south of Durban, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The operation culminated in a dramatic confrontation, spotlighting the urgency and danger faced by law enforcement in their relentless pursuit of suspected criminals.
Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi provided insights into the incident during an interview with ENCA, detailing the chain of events that led to Makhanya’s demise.
According to Mkhwanazi, the suspect was located after police had ‘been working the whole night trying to locate these people.’
Makhanya was believed to be attempting to hire a vehicle when he was confronted by authorities.
‘He arrived here with intentions to come and hire the vehicle,’ Mkhwanazi explained.
‘There’s an individual here that is renting out the cars, and he has rented out cars to him before… upon seeing his face on the media, decided that he’s not going to give him the vehicle.’
In a surprising twist, the owner of the car rental shop stayed with Makhanya the entire day, trying to convince him to turn himself in.
During this tense standoff, Mkhwanazi revealed that Makhanya allegedly confessed to the murder of Mongale.
Mkhwanazi recalled, ‘He said he confessed to him on what he did in Joburg… and he wanted to commit suicide.’
The situation escalated further when Makhanya disclosed that another suspect was reportedly fleeing to Zimbabwe, leaving police with a renewed sense of urgency to locate him as well.
Police are closing in on the suspects linked to the brutal murder of Wits student Olorato Mongale after uncovering a key lead hundreds of kilometres from the crime scene.
A Volkswagen Polo believed to have been used in Mongale’s killing was discovered at a panel beating shop in Phoenix, Durban, with blood traces found inside. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the vehicle’s owner has since been taken into custody.
According to Times Live, investigators are now intensifying the search for two other individuals believed to have critical information. They have named Fezile Ngubane and Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya as persons of interest and urged them to come forward immediately.
The 22-year-old postgraduate student, originally from Bloemfontein, was killed shortly after meeting a man known only as ‘John’ for a date in Johannesburg. CCTV footage captured Mongale entering a vehicle with cloned number plates, the last time she was seen alive.
The man, who allegedly first met her in her hometown before convincing her to reconnect in Joburg, is now central to the police probe. Sources close to the investigation say the date took a deadly turn within two hours of the meetup.
Mongale’s death has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for tighter regulations on cloned vehicle plates and online interactions with strangers. Her fellow students at Wits University held a candlelight vigil on campus earlier this week, demanding justice and improved protection for young women across the country.
The Polo, now a major piece of evidence, is undergoing forensic testing, including DNA analysis to match the blood found inside to the victim. Authorities are also exploring whether the vehicle was used in any other crimes prior to the murder.
KwaZulu-Natal has emerged as a focal point in the investigation, with law enforcement officials suspecting the vehicle may have been moved across provinces in an attempt to cover the killers’ tracks.
As the manhunt continues, police are appealing to anyone with information about the suspects or the vehicle’s movements to contact them. A reward is expected to be announced in the coming days as part of efforts to bring all those responsible to justice.
Also read:
Picture: Women For Change / Facebook
