‘The system is broken’: Olorato Mongale’s family outraged ahead of funeral

As loved ones gather to bid their final farewell to 30-year-old Olorato Mongale, her family have shared their heartbreak at a “broken” justice system that allowed the two men linked to her murder out on bail.

Mongale went on a date with her alleged killer last Sunday, only for her body to be later found in Lombardy West, Johannesburg. Police began a manhunt for Phila Makhanya, Fezile Ngubane and Bongani Mthimkhulu in connection with the murder.

Makhanya was killed in a police shootout on Friday, and police cleared Ngubane on Saturday. Mthimkhulu is currently on the run and was reportedly heading to the border.

Makhanya and Mthimkhulu were out on bail for kidnapping and robbery in Johannesburg, but were released on bail in April. Makhanya was also set to appear in court on Monday for a pending case in Brakpan and was a person of interest in a kidnapping case in KwaMashu.

‘If they are caught, they will be back’

Speaking to the Sunday Times this week, family spokesperson Criselda Kananda said they were shocked to learn that men accused of kidnapping could be set free back into society.

“That absolutely breaks all our hearts. The system is broken.

“Our parole and bail approaches need to be urgently reconsidered. Men like these do what they want and don’t care because they know even if they are caught, they will be back.”

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has yet to explain why their bail was not opposed or what their bail conditions were. Any update from the authority will be included once received.

Kananda said the family wanted answers from those who killed her daughter.

“We need to know what the motivation was and why she was picked. It is difficult to put the lid on when you don’t know what is in the pot.”

Funeral

Mongale will be laid to rest after a funeral service at the Bloemfontein City Hall in the Free State on Sunday.

On Friday, a prayer service for her family was held in Bloemfontein’s Bayswater community. Community members reflected on her life and offered strength to those she loved.

Motheo Mongale told EWN that it had been a difficult time for the family, but they hoped to find closure soon.

“I miss your voice. I miss hearing you sing,” he said in a message to his cousin.

ALSO READ: New development in Olorato Mongale murder case

Suspect over the border?

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Friday said that Mkhwanazi had told a man whom he wanted to borrow a car from that a fellow suspect was heading to the border.

“When he asked him [Makhanya] about the second suspect, he said he was told the other suspect is going to Zimbabwe. So, he [the second suspect] has disappeared, and we are still trying to locate him as well.

“We know the main suspect was this one, which we managed to locate here. The team in Gauteng is tracing the other suspect and sharing information with us.”

Mkhwanazi said that two others who assisted Makhanya to escape were taken into custody as accomplices in escaping and evading arrest.

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