Olorato Mongale: KZN police say case can't be built on speculation
This follows allegations that the man who housed the now-late main suspect, Philangenkosi Makhanya, in the Olorato Mongale case is part of a kidnapping syndicate.
The funeral of slain Olorato Mongale on 1 June 2025. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police say they are not willing to conduct an investigation based on speculation following allegations that the man who housed the main suspect in the Olorato Mongale case is part of a kidnapping syndicate.
The main suspect, Philangenkosi Makhanya, was shot and killed by officers at a complex in Amanzimtoti, in the south of Durban, last week following a manhunt for his arrest over Mongale’s murder.
The 30-year-old was reported missing after going on a date with a man she’d recently met. Her body was found in Lombardy West, in Johannesburg, a day later.
She was laid to rest this past weekend.
New information has now emerged that the man who is a tenant in the apartment where Makhanya was killed was allegedly also part of the syndicate targeting girls.
Several women have taken to social media, saying the man who cannot be named is no victim, saying that they can recognise his voice from the media interviews he gave
Police said they are aware of the speculations, but need more than that to build a case.
When asked about this, police provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said, "The unfortunate part is that until we have a case that is registered by someone, and the investigation then points into this particular individual only then we can be able to effect an arrest."
Mkhwanazi added that speculations alone are not enough for the police to act.
"It is always dangerous when people are going to make noise, and yet they don't report to the police, so whoever is a victim of such an individual, they are welcome to go to the nearest police station."
Police said the man in question remains a witness in their ongoing investigation for now.
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