Residents of the Mason Arbour Town complex in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, were jolted awake by gunshots and chaos early Friday morning as police confronted a suspect linked to the murder of Wits University postgraduate student Olorato Mongale.
Mongale was last seen leaving her Johannesburg flat on Sunday afternoon for a date with a man calling himself “John.” Her body was later discovered in Lombardy East near Alexandra.
Vehicle Linked to Suspects Found in KZN
Investigators traced a white VW Polo used to pick up Mongale to a panel-beating workshop in Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the elderly owner of the vehicle had been arrested, while two other men—Philangenkosi Makhanya and Fezile Ngubane—were identified as persons of interest.
A third suspect, Bongani Mthimkhulu—a friend of Makhanya—was later added to the investigation. Shockingly, Mathe revealed that Makhanya and Mthimkhulu were out on bail after being arrested last month in Brakpan for allegedly kidnapping and robbing a woman. They had been released on April 26.
Shootout at Durban Complex
Police tracked the main suspect to his father’s home in Inanda, where the father (the Polo’s owner) was detained. However, Makhanya allegedly fled after being tipped off by his mother.
Authorities later traced him to a multistorey complex near Galleria Mall, where he had reportedly tried to rent a car from a tenant. When police stormed the third-floor flat, Makhanya allegedly opened fire and was killed in the shootout.
Residents Recall Suspect’s Movements
Body corporate chairperson Denise Rajman told TimesLIVE that residents had been alerted via a WhatsApp group after chaos erupted. She said the suspect had entered the complex as a visitor on Thursday morning.
“He left to fetch money, but the tenant—having seen news reports—recognized him as a wanted man and refused to lend him the car,” Rajman explained. The suspect remained with the tenant, who reportedly urged him to surrender. During this time, he allegedly confessed to the crime and expressed suicidal thoughts.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said the deceased suspect was found with 28 ID cards and around 20 cellphones, raising concerns about possible additional crimes.
Manhunt Continues for Remaining Suspects
Authorities are still searching for Ngubane and Mthimkhulu. The public is urged to contact Brigadier Edwin Nama at 082-778-9035 with any information.
The case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting concerns over violent crime and the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders.