Olorato Mongale: Suspect who handed himself over 'did well'

JOHANNESBURG - Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu said the suspect who has handed himself over to police in connection with the murder of Olorato Mongale has done well.

The man went to the KwaMashu police station in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.

His arrest followed the death of another suspect, Philangenkosi Makhanya, who died in a shootout with police on Friday at a residential complex in Amanzimtoti.

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The 30-year-old journalism student’s body was discovered in Lombardy West on Sunday after she had gone on a date with a man who picked her up from her home in Athol.

Mchunu said he was briefed on Friday night by the KZN police commissioner about a second suspect in the Mongale murder investigation who turned himself in to authorities.

However, in a statement released by police on Saturday afternoon, they indicated that the man had been cleared and had since been released from custody.

The man, who is a car guard, was linked to Mongale's murder through SIM cards that were RICA'd to his name.

Police questioned him as at least 28 SIM cards that were being used by Makhanya were registered in his name.

The man - who stays in the same neighbourhood as Makhanya, was allegedly identified by the late suspect as a soft target.

According to police, Makhanya took the man's ID smart card and used it to RICA SIM cards that Makhanya would use to commit crimes targeted at young women.

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“They must know – we want them dead or alive. This one [Makhanya] preferred that we find him dead and that was his choice, otherwise the other one who handed himself over, we found him still alive. He did well and handed himself over because these are very serious crimes that they have committed.”

Mchunu said a third suspect, who police understand is trying to skip the country, is still on the run.