Olorato Mongale's mother: 'I could see that my daughter fought, she even lost her nails'

BLOEMFONTEIN - The mother of slain journalist Olorato Mongale shared the heartbreaking moment she realised something was wrong.

Basetsana Mongale took to the podium at the Bloemfontein City Hall on Sunday, where hundreds gathered to bid farewell to the 30-year-old, who was killed in Johannesburg last Sunday.

The young journalist had left home to meet a man she’d recently been dating, but never returned.

Her mother said she drove through the night, from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, after getting a call from her daughter’s friend.

“It was a Sunday, I was at home relaxing after golf. I got a call from her friend asking when last I spoke to her, I said in the morning. She said Olorato is missing. I showered, poured petrol and sped to Johannesburg. In my heart, something was saying she’s no more.”

Olorato’s body was discovered in Lombardy East hours later.

READ: 'She was magic': Family and friends pay their last respects to slain Olorato Mongale

The prime suspect Philangenkosi Makhanya, was fatally shot during a confrontation with police in KwaZulu-Natal (KLZN) on Friday.

Another suspect was cleared on Saturday, while a third remains at large.

READ: Olorato Mongale funeral: 'We will not rest until we find Bongani Mthimkhulu' - deputy police minister

Basetsana described her daughter as a fighter, someone who never backed down, even in her final moments.

Her mother spoke of her daughter’s courage.

“I know she’s a fighter. When I saw her at the government mortuary, I could see that my daughter fought. There is no time where she begged for mercy. She fought to the end, she even lost her nails, she fought.”]