Olorato case: KZN police uncover syndicate trail
KwaZulu-Natal
Police Chief, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says the prime suspect in the murder case of
Olorato Mongale was found in possession of dozens of ID cards, cell phones and
even a safe.
"He has been moving around with a safe, we don't know for what purpose. So, we're still trying to trace these IDs, who they belong to and who are these people that is having their IDs here," said Mkhwanazi.
Philangenkosi Makhanya was killed in a shootout with police at a residential block in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, early Friday.
Makhanya has been named the main suspect in the murder of the 30 -year-old Wits student.
Her body was dumped in Johannesburg's Lombardy West area, after she had apparently gone on a date, with a man known as 'John'.
READ: Olorato Mongale suspect killed by KZN police
Detectives have been trying to track down the three suspects, who they believe are part of a syndicate targeting young women in malls, with the intent to rob them.
They had been tracking Makhanya since locating a vehicle linked to the crime in Phoenix.
They vehicle belongs to his father.
ALSO READ: Olorato Mongale: Cops descend on Toti
Mkhwanazi briefed the media on Friday morning, from outside the complex where Makhanya had allegedly gone to ask a man to borrow a car.
"So, he was trying to conceal him, praying and the whole thing, trying to encourage him to turn himself over. So, this is what this guy tells us,” he said.
"Obviously his statement will prove that the shooting happened when the police arrived. So, this guy confirms that he did not cite him, he doesn't know whether he was killing a firearm.
"So, when the police came in, knock at the door and open the door, that's when he pulled out his gun."Find us on social media
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