Read more
The man was hiding out at a flat in Amanzimtoti.
Olorato Mongale. Picture: X
Police have confirmed that one of the main suspects in the murder of Olorato Mongale has been shot and killed in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
It is understood that the man, who has not yet been named, was killed early on Friday morning.
Shootout
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda told The Citizen the man was hiding at a flat in Amanzimtoti.
“The main suspect in the killing of Olorato Mongale, who was killed and dumped on the side of the road at Lombardy in Johannesburg, Gauteng province, was shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police in the Amanzimtoti area in KwaZulu-Natal.
“He allegedly opened fire on police officers who were trying to locate him, after intensified efforts overnight,” Netshiunda said.
ALSO READ: Big development in search for Olorato Mongale’s killers
Investigation
Netshiunda stated that KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, was at the crime scene.
“He will leave the crime scene at 6:15 for another urgent engagement out of the province,” Netshiunda said.
Police are still searching for two other suspects involved in the murder of Mongale.
Arrests
On Thursday, the mother and father of one of the suspects linked to Mongale’s death were taken into custody for allegedly tipping off their son that the police were looking for him.
“The father is the owner of the VW Polo, while the mother is believed to have tipped off the son that police are at the parents’ house looking for him,” Saps said.
The mother’s actions allowed their son to evade arrest on Wednesday evening, the police said. When officers arrived in Inanda, KZN, where the suspect stayed, he had already left.
Primary suspect
Earlier on Thursday, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Bongani Mthimkhulu, a friend of one of the primary suspects, was wanted in connection with Mongale’s murder.
The police had already processed two of the three suspects in the system before connecting them to Mongale’s death.
Mathe revealed that the police arrested Bongani Mthimkhulu and Phila Makhanya on 20 April, on charges of kidnapping and robbery in the Brockbunny area.
Mongale’s murder
Mongale was last seen on Sunday when she went on a date with her alleged killer, who picked her up from her residential complex in Athol, Johannesburg, driving a white VW Polo with a cloned number plate that belonged to a Toyota Hilux.
Mongale’s body was later found in Lombardy West on Sunday afternoon by the Saps with the assistance of community members.
*This is a developing story
ALSO READ: Olorato Mongale: Suspect’s parents arrested for aiding escape in murder case
Download our app
