A Wits student’s hopeful encounter ends in tragedy. A nation is grieving—and demanding justice.
“If I Don’t Send My Location, Start Looking For Me” Olorato
When Olorato Mongale, a vibrant 30-year-old Wits University student, agreed to go on her first date with a man she recently met, she did what every cautious woman today is taught to do: she told her friends.
Olorato had met the man known only as “John” at a retail store a few days earlier. They exchanged numbers, flirted over messages, and planned to meet on Sunday, 25 May 2025.
But Olorato was vigilant. She told her friends, “If I don’t send my location in an hour, start looking for me.”
She was last seen leaving her Sandton apartment just after 3 PM. She left her car behind—at John’s insistence. He arrived in a white VW Polo, later confirmed to have cloned number plates (LT 57 JG GP) stolen from a Toyota Hilux.
30 Minutes… Then Silence
For the first half-hour, Olorato stayed in touch—sending her location every 30 minutes as planned.
Then, silence.
Her friends grew uneasy. An hour passed. Still no message. They reassured themselves: “Maybe they’re deep in conversation.” But two hours in, her phone was off.
Panic set in.
Using a “Find Me” app, her friends tracked her last known location to a house in Kew, Johannesburg. Inside, they found her cellphone and handbag—but no Olorato.
The alarm was raised. Posters were circulated. Calls were made. The search had begun.
A Suspicious Drop-Off in Lombardy West
At around 4:50 PM, just under two hours after Olorato left home, community members in Lombardy West reported seeing a white VW Polo drop a large parcel near the roadside. It sped off immediately.
That parcel was Olorato’s body—bruised, swollen, and lifeless.
Her tragic death has shaken the nation. Her story has sparked outrage, heartbreak, and urgent calls for action.
A Calculated Killer? Family Suspects a Pattern
The Mongale family is devastated—but also determined.
Speaking on Metro FM, a family spokesperson revealed they are trying to unlock Olorato’s phone to trace her final conversations with John. They’re also searching for the retail store CCTV footage where the two first met, to put a face to the killer.
“He reversed the car at the gate so cameras wouldn’t catch his face,” said the spokesperson. “This wasn’t random. It was calculated.”
A Possible Serial Predator?
Police have now linked Olorato’s murder to at least two other similar cases:
- On 8 May, a 39-year-old woman’s body was found dumped on Katherine Street in Sandton.
- A month earlier, another woman was found lifeless on the roadside, also in the Sandton area.
SAPS confirmed: “We’re analyzing whether we’re dealing with a single repeat offender. We’re not ruling out the possibility of a serial predator.”
A Facebook Monster Caught—How Many More Are Out There?
Just last week, a 24-year-old predator was arrested for using a fake Facebook profile to lure a woman from Pretoria to Limpopo. He drove her to Giyani, where he raped her repeatedly until police rescued her at a filling station.
This horrifying trend is growing.
Criminologist Dr. Phumeza Ndlovu warns: “We’re facing a new kind of predator—one who uses charm and technology as weapons. These men are methodical, manipulative, and extremely dangerous.”
What We Can Learn From Olorato
Olorato did everything right. She was careful. She warned her friends. She shared her location. She didn’t go alone.
Yet, in just two hours, her life was stolen.
Her death is not just a statistic. It’s a reflection of the epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV) that continues to claim lives in South Africa every single day.
SAPS and Government: “We Will Not Let This Go Cold”
Police are urging anyone who may have seen the white VW Polo with plate LT 57 JG GP to come forward immediately. “We have activated all resources and are working tirelessly on this case,”
Meanwhile, the government has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of GBVF, confirming that the highest offices are actively monitoring this investigation.
Help Us Put a Face to “John”
Olorato’s family has one request: Help us find his face.
If you work at a retail store in the Sandton or Alexandra area and remember Olorato—or saw her speaking to a man recently—come forward. Your information could prevent another murder.
It’s Time to Ask: How Many More Must Die?
How many more Oloratos will be killed before we take women’s safety seriously?
We cannot sit by. We must speak out. Share her story. Watch out for your sisters, friends, and daughters. And hold predators accountable.
If you have any information, call Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Rest in peace, Olorato Mongale. Your life mattered. We will not stop until justice is served.
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