“We’ll Find Him” - Deputy Minister on Mongale suspect
Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo says they won't rest until they find the suspect wanted in connection with the death of Olorato Mongale.
"We have narrowed our investigation and now know that Philangenkosi Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu were working together and they were a syndicate that was targeting women in various malls across the country. If you know him, advise him to surrender."
She was speaking at Mongale's funeral service this morning, who's being laid to rest in Bloemfontein.
The 30-year-old was found dead a week ago after she was reported missing following a date in Johannesburg.
One suspect linked to her murder, Philangenkosi Makhanya, was killed during a shootout with KZN police in Amanzimtoti on Friday.
READ: Olorato Mongale laid to rest as manhunt continues
Boshielo confirmed that Makhanya IS the man who went on a date with Mongale.
Yesterday, police cleared Fezile Ngubane, who was previously named as a suspect - and say he was a victim of identity theft.
Boshielo says investigators have linked Makhanya and Mthimkhulu to twenty cases of an alleged syndicate targeting young women in malls.
" Women from across the country have positively identified as the pair that kidnapped and robbed
them.
Some cases have been reported where we are today in Bloemfontein. In Bloemfontein, we have one case reported in Park Road and one in Kagisanong with the same modus operandi.
"They met these men at the waterfront mall and other malls in Bloemfontein, agreed to go out on a date with them and they were later robbed. Other cases have been reported in Nelspruit, Midrand, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Lebowakgomo in Limpopo and Johannesburg.
