The funeral of Olorato Mongale, the 30-year-old University of Witwatersrand student from Bloemfontein who was brutally murdered, is being held today (Sunday) at the City Hall in Bloemfontein, followed by burial at Bainsvlei cemetery. The service comes three days after a moving memorial held in her honour at the Mahube Tumelo Hall in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
Tragically, Makhanya's reign of terror came to an end on Friday when he was killed in a shootout with police in a residential complex in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal. Mathe revealed that Makhanya's own mother inadvertently tipped him off to the police's search, informing him that they were looking for him in Kwamashu township.
"When he heard that the police were looking for him, he called his friend, who rents cars, to come and collect him. He told his friends everything regarding how he met Olorato in Bloemfontein two days before he killed her in Johannesburg last Sunday. Philangenkosi saw Olorato at one of the malls in Bloemfontein, and he followed her while she was shopping with her mother. This is where he exchanged contacts with Olorato, and they later met in Johannesburg. He fetched her from her residence, and she was later found dead in Lombardy West. Her lifeless body was ejected from the white VW Polo. Police later found the vehicle at the panel beater in Phoenix," Mathe explained.
The investigation has uncovered a disturbing pattern of behaviour, revealing that Makhanya and an accomplice, Bongani Mthimkhulu from Zola, Soweto, who is currently on the run, have been targeting women at shopping centres across the country. Police believe the duo were operating a "romance syndicate," using a white VW Polo to kidnap and rob their victims. The vehicle has been impounded and is being used as evidence in multiple investigations related to kidnapping, murder, and robbery.
Mongale's aunt, Dr Maureen Mongale, spoke to Sunday World after the memorial service, confirming that her niece was a victim of kidnapping. "Olorato was kidnapped by those people who murdered her, and the police are working on the case. That’s all I can say," she stated.
Mongale's mother has declined to comment on the case.
Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda has requested privacy during this difficult time. "Respectfully, the family doesn’t want to comment on issues related to the autopsy, and Olorato’s mother has requested not to comment on any of the issues raised here. We continue to hope that the South African Police Service will help us with closure and justice for Olorato and many victims will continue to be served," Kananda said.
Colonel Mathe has indicated that Makhanya and Mthimkhulu are linked to numerous cases of murder, kidnapping, and robbery across Mpumalanga, Free State, North West, Limpopo, and Gauteng. "We have cracked a romance syndicate that operated across the country. We have many cases that are registered with the police linking Makhanya and Mthimkhulu," she stated.
Police have also cleared Fezile Ngubane, who was initially identified as a suspect. Ngubane, a car washer, lived in the same neighbourhood as Makhanya.
The investigation, led by KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, continues as authorities work to apprehend Bongani Mthimkhulu and bring closure to the victims and their families affected by this "romance syndicate." The case serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking in seemingly ordinary interactions and the importance of vigilance.
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