By Malebo Pheme
Rhodes University journalism graduate Olorato Mongale, 30, was brutally murdered on Sunday, 25 May, after a man picked her up for a date from her residence in Athol, Johannesburg.
Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda confirmed the horrifying news, saying Mongale’s body had been “brutally violated”.
Disturbing CCTV footage circulating on social media shows Mongale leaving a location in Kew, Johannesburg, dressed in a black sweater, black shirt, and white shoes, walking towards a white VW Polo.
SAPS Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police teams were hunting down a male who uses the name of ‘John’ (pseudonym) and drives a VW Polo fitted with a cloned number plate that belongs to a Toyota Hilux. The cloned number plate is LT 57 JG GP.
Mathe said the man fetched Mongale at her residential complex in Athol, Johannesburg, at around 3 pm on Sunday. He drove with the victim in Alexandra township, proceeded to Kew, and between Alexandra and Lombardy West in Johannesburg, he allegedly murdered Olorato and dumped her body.
Some of Mongale’s belongings, including a phone and a handbag, were found abandoned on 9th Road in Kew.
Her body was found in less than two hours at around 4.50 pm in Lombardy West by the SAPS with the assistance of community members.
Gauteng police are investigating the possibility that ‘John’ was with another male suspect when they allegedly murdered Olorato.
The investigation into Mongale’s murder is ongoing, and police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in locating the suspects.
Mongale completed her final year of a Bachelor of Journalism degree at Rhodes University in 2016 and was this year studying for a higher degree at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
