Olorato Mongale: Family reels as only child is violently ripped from her mother

Olorato Mongale was an only child to her mother, who suffered “many” miscarriages before finally having her.

Mongale’s family spokesperson, Criselda Kananda, spoke to the media on Wednesday in an attempt to paint a picture of the impact of the 30-year-old’s death.

“Olorato was a child filled with love. When we named her Olorotao la Modimo, it was because we saw God’s love through her life. Her mother had many miscarriages, and Olorato was the only one who was saved.

“She’s the only daughter and child to her mother, someone then decided that that family no longer deserves to have a child,” said Kananda.

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Olorato went on a date with her alleged killer, who picked her up from her residential complex in Athol, Johannesburg, at around 3 pm, driving a white VW Polo, on Sunday.

He drove with the victim in the township of Alexandra, proceeded to Kew and between Alexandra and Lombardy West in Johannesburg.

He allegedly murdered Olorato and dumped her body.

Her body was found in less than two hours at around 4:50 pm in Lombardy West on Sunday afternoon by the police, with the assistance of community members.

Some of the belongings of the victim, which include a phone and a handbag, were found abandoned on 9th Rd in Kew, Johannesburg.

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Investigations revealed that the vehicle was fitted with fake registration number plates, said police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Olorato Mongale: Suspect arrested

On Wednesday, police found and seized the wanted VW Polo at a panel beater workshop in Phoenix, Durban.

The investigation first led the team to a lodge in Kew, Johannesburg, where two suspects had booked a room.

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“Further intelligence led them to KwaMashu in Durban to the home of one of the suspects. The suspects’ vehicle was later found at this panel-beater workshop. Upon inspection by police forensic experts, traces of blood were found inside the vehicle,” said Mathe.

An elderly man believed to be the vehicle’s owner has been arrested. Police are still searching for three men believed to have been directly involved in the murder of Olorato.

Another woman killed

This was not the only woman to have been killed and dumped this month.

Gauteng police are also investigating a similar case after a 39-year-old woman was also found dumped in Catherine Street in Sandown, Sandton, on 8 May 2025.

Last week, police arrested a man who was targeting women on Facebook using a fake profile and identity.

The 24-year-old man is still in custody and has already appeared before the Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court on a charge of kidnapping and rape. He had lured a 28-year-old female to Limpopo under false pretenses and raped her repeatedly. She was later rescued by police at a filling station in Giyani.

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