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Fezile Ngubane Freed as Police Probe Deepens Into Olorato Mongale’s Murder

Published

3 months ago

May 31, 2025

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In a case that has gripped communities across South Africa, Fezile Ngubane, initially caught in the crossfire of a chilling kidnapping and murder investigation, has been released by police after a detailed inquiry showed he was not the culprit many feared. His name had surfaced in connection with the tragic murder of Olorato Mongale, but the truth behind the story is far more complex.

How It All Began: A Father’s Surrender and a Son’s Name in Question

The saga took an unexpected turn when Ngubane’s father brought his son to the KwaMashu police station, aware that authorities wanted to question Fezile regarding the murder case. The gesture itself was heavy with tension and worry, as family and community anxiously awaited clarity.

But after careful, painstaking interviews led by Major General Mbuso Khumalo, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in Gauteng, investigators found that Fezile was not a mastermind or willing participant. Instead, he was a pawn in a much darker game.

Caught in the Crossfire: How Fezile Became an Unwitting Victim

The investigation uncovered that Philangenkosi Makhanya, a figure already linked to a string of heinous crimes, had exploited Ngubane’s identity. Makhanya reportedly stole Fezile’s ID smart card and used it to register SIM cards tied to a range of criminal acts including kidnapping and robbery — targeting vulnerable young women.

To make matters worse, Makhanya didn’t stop there. Fezile’s bank card was also misused to shop at several clothing stores, casting further suspicion on him until the truth emerged.

The grim reality is that Ngubane was caught up unwittingly in a criminal network’s web, victimized just as much as those directly harmed by the kidnappings.

A Wider Net: The Scale of the Kidnapping Syndicate

Police investigations have revealed a frightening pattern. At least twenty young women have come forward identifying Makhanya and his group as their kidnappers, with crimes stretching across multiple cities — from Potchefstroom and Bloemfontein to Midrand, Ogies, Nelspruit, Pretoria, and Johannesburg.

The scale of this syndicate is unsettling, showing a coordinated operation that preyed on vulnerable women across the country. The urgency to dismantle this network and bring justice is clear.

The Hunt Continues: Bongani Mthimkulu Still at Large

While Ngubane has been cleared, the investigation is far from over. The police are now on the lookout for Bongani Mthimkulu, another suspect connected to the syndicate. Authorities are calling on him to turn himself in at the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, the parents of one of the suspects have been released after giving statements, highlighting the delicate balance police must maintain as they untangle this complex case.

What This Means for South Africa: Justice and Vigilance

This story is a stark reminder of the dangers facing young women in South Africa and the importance of thorough investigations to protect innocent people from wrongful accusations. It shows how easily lives can be turned upside down when criminal gangs use identities and resources to mask their crimes.

For communities across the country, this case shines a light on the urgent need to support law enforcement, stay vigilant, and work together to ensure such syndicates are brought to justice.

What You Can Do

If you have any information about the ongoing investigation or have seen Bongani Mthimkulu, contact your nearest police station immediately. Your tip could be the key to ending this dangerous chapter and helping bring closure to the victims and their families.

Let’s stay alert and united in fighting crime, protecting the vulnerable, and making South Africa safer for everyone.