Phoenix, Durban — A massive breakthrough has been made in the tragic murder case of Wits student Olorato Mongale, as the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirms the seizure of the white VW Polo used in her gruesome killing.
🚨 Seized in Durban: Forensic Traces of Blood Found Inside Vehicle, is it Olorato Mongale’s blood?
After a nationwide manhunt, the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, alongside National Crime Intelligence and various elite units, located the wanted VW Polo hidden at a panel beater workshop in Phoenix, Durban.
Police forensic experts found traces of blood inside the car—linking it directly to the horrifying crime. The Polo, which carried fake registration plates cloned from a Toyota Hilux, had been used to pick up Mongale on what was supposed to be a first date.
Read | 1st Date, Final Breath: How Olorato Mongale’s First Date Turned Into Her Last Moments
An elderly man, believed to be the registered owner of the vehicle, has been arrested. However, the real manhunt continues for the two main suspects believed to have been directly involved in Mongale’s murder.
The SAPS has named the suspects as:
- Fezile Ngubane
- Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya
Both are on the run, and members of the public are strongly urged not to approach them. If spotted, immediately contact Brigadier Nama at +27 (82) 778-9035.
🛑 “These individuals are considered dangerous and must be brought to justice. We call on the public to share their photos widely,” said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
🔍 How Investigators Tracked the Killers
The trail began at a lodge in Kew, Johannesburg, where the suspects had allegedly booked a room. Intelligence then led investigators all the way to KwaMashu, Durban, where one suspect resides. The Polo was ultimately found in Phoenix — over 500 km from the original crime scene.
“This was a calculated move to evade justice, but the net is closing in,” a police source close to the investigation revealed.
Olorato Mongale, a bright 30-year-old Wits student, was excited about meeting someone new. She even alerted friends, promising to send her live location—but two hours later, her phone was off, and panic set in.
Her friends tracked her last known location using a “find me” app, discovering her phone and handbag abandoned in a stranger’s home. Later, community members witnessed a white Polo dumping a suspicious package in Lombardy West—it was Olorato’s lifeless body.
Police are now investigating similar murder cases in Sandton and Sandown, raising the alarm about a possible serial GBVF (Gender-Based Violence and Femicide) perpetrator.
In a chillingly similar case just last week, a 28-year-old woman was lured on Facebook, kidnapped, and repeatedly raped before being rescued in Giyani.
⚠️ A Call for Vigilance
The SAPS urges women to:
- Always meet in public spaces when seeing someone new
- Share live locations with trusted contacts
- Never leave their personal vehicles if something feels wrong
“The SAPS will leave no stone unturned in the fight against GBVF. We urge all South Africans to remain vigilant and united against this scourge,” said National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
🙏 Rest in Power, Olorato
As the family awaits justice, one thing remains clear — Olorato’s story must not be in vain. Help find her killers. Share this article, their photos, and keep the pressure on.
💬 What do YOU think?
- Do you feel safe dating in South Africa today?
- What more can be done to protect women?
🗣️ Comment below. Share your voice. Let’s be louder than silence.
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