One of the main suspects in the murder of 30-year-old student Olorato Mongale was killed in a police shootout in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, marking a dramatic turn in the investigation that has gripped the nation.
Olorato Mongale murder suspect killed in shootout with KZN police
The man, identified as Philangenkosi Makhanya, allegedly opened fire on police officers during an attempt to arrest him late Thursday night.
Law enforcement had traced him to a residential complex following intensified overnight efforts. Inside the flat, authorities recovered 20 cellphones and 28 ID cards, suggesting links to broader criminal activity.
Makhanya was wanted in connection with Mongale’s murder, a case that began when she went missing on Sunday, 25 May 2025.
She was last seen leaving her home in Athol, Johannesburg, to meet a man she had spoken to online. CCTV footage showed her entering a white VW Polo, later revealed to be fitted with a fake number plate cloned from a Toyota Hilux.
Less than two hours after her disappearance, her bruised body was found dumped in Lombardy West.
Mom reacts to the latest developments in the case
Reacting to the suspect’s death, Mongale’s mother expressed little relief.
“Honestly, I don’t feel anything because at the end of the day nothing will bring back my child. Even if they are caught, it doesn’t make a difference to me. All I wanted was my daughter,” she said.
“The justice that I would have wanted was they deserve to die just like they did to my daughter.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomed the police’s swift response.
In a statement, the party condemned gender-based violence and praised KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for the breakthrough.
The EFF linked Makhanya to other violent crimes, noting he had previously been out on bail for kidnapping and robbery.
“This man murdered her within two hours of meeting her and dumped her body in Lombardy West. Due to her family and friends being proactive, her body was discovered quickly, although too late,” the EFF stated.
They also called for better performance from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure justice in similar cases.
Authorities believe Makhanya did not act alone. His parents were arrested earlier in the week—his father owned the Polo used in the abduction, and his mother allegedly tipped him off, allowing him to escape an earlier police raid.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if other suspects were involved and if Makhanya is connected to additional unsolved murders in the Sandton area, where two women were previously found murdered under similar circumstances.
The police have vowed to continue pursuing every lead in the case to ensure full accountability.
