Syndicate ‘cracked’ in Olorato Mongale murder probe
Police say they believe they have cracked a criminal syndicate while investigating the murder of Wits student Olorato Mongale.
"We do believe that we have broken the back of a syndicate that is targeting women, where they utilise the same modus operandi. They propose to these young women, usually in a mall, and request to take them out on dates. When they agree, that is when they plan to rob them,” says national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
Mongale's body was found in Johannesburg's Lombardy West on Sunday, two hours after she was picked up from her apartment.
It's believed the 30-year-old had gone on a date.
Investigations led Gauteng detectives to a panel beating shop in Durban on Wednesday, where they found the vehicle they believe her killers used.
Officials say traces of blood were picked up in the car.
They have released the names and pictures of three suspects, one of whom is believed to be from KwaMashu.
Mathe says it's not their first brush with the law.
"On the 20th of April this year, we arrested Bongani Mthimkhulu and Philangenkosi Makhanya on a charge of kidnapping and robbery. A vigilant police officer came across a suspicious-looking vehicle, the same VW Polo in question. He found that they had just kidnapped a woman and robbed her.
"On the 22nd of April, they appeared in court on a charge of kidnapping and robbery and on the 26th of April, they got bail. We are linking them with various other cases."
The owner of the vehicle has been arrested.
He is the father of one of the suspects on the run.
"The vehicle is under his name, so he needs to account as to where his vehicle has been,” said Mathe.
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