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Justice for Olorato: The Hunt for Truth After a Tragic Date Turns Deadly

Published

4 months ago

May 31, 2025

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Olorato Mongale was just 30 years old. Bright, hopeful, and like many women her age, still believing in the power of love and connection. When she went out on a date last Sunday, no one could have imagined that it would end in tragedy. Not her family, not her friends, and certainly not the country now mourning her loss.

Her body was found in Lombardy West, Johannesburg. In the days that followed, a storm of police activity, public outrage, and sorrow swept across South Africa.

The suspects emerge

The police had already encountered two of the three men suspected of being involved in Olorato’s death, but only later connected them to the murder. That led to an urgent manhunt for three individuals: Phila Makhanya, Fezile Ngubane, and Bongani Mthimkhulu.

Makhanya’s name became widely known when it was revealed he had been killed in a shootout with police on Friday. Authorities had been closing in fast, and tensions ran high as the case drew intense public attention. Shortly after, news broke that another suspect, believed to be either Ngubane or Mthimkhulu, had handed himself over at the KwaMashu police station in KwaZulu-Natal.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi confirmed the development, adding that the suspect had made contact with someone in the area while seeking a car to help another suspect flee.

A run for the border

Then came a chilling detail. Makhanya allegedly told someone that the remaining suspect was heading for the border, possibly fleeing to Zimbabwe. Whether or not he made it across remains unknown, but police are actively tracking him down, working with Gauteng-based teams and sharing intelligence across provinces.

Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi also confirmed that two people who helped Makhanya evade arrest had been taken into custody. They are now facing charges for aiding a fugitive.

A plea from the police

In a bold statement, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu made it clear that surrender was the only option left for the last suspect. “They must know we want them dead or alive,” he was quoted as saying. His words reflect the deep frustration with rising gender-based violence and the lengths authorities are now willing to go to bring justice.

Olorato’s final farewell

As the manhunt continues, Olorato’s loved ones are preparing to lay her to rest. Her funeral is scheduled for Sunday. It will be a painful day, one filled with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss for a life taken far too soon.

Her story is not just one of personal tragedy, but a mirror to a nation still grappling with violence against women, fractured systems, and the urgent need for accountability.

What now?

The case isn’t closed. One suspect is dead, another has handed himself over, and the third may be on the run, possibly outside South Africa’s borders. But the search won’t stop. And neither should the conversation about safety, justice, and change.

For now, the country holds its breath. For Olorato. For her family. And for every woman who has walked out the door expecting to return home.

Let’s not forget

If you have any information that could help bring the remaining suspect to justice, report it to the police or Crime Stop at 08600 10111. Olorato deserves justice. And South Africa deserves better.