A WOMAN has alleged that the tenant of the Amanzimtoti flat where murder suspect Philangenkosi Makhanya was shot dead by the police on May 30, is part of a syndicate that targets women in romantic dating scams and robs them of their phones and other belongings.

Also read: Amanzimtoti shoot-out leaves suspected woman killer dead

After the shooting, the tenant, whose name is withheld by the police as he is a witness, told the media that the late Makhanya had come to his Arbour Road flat to rent a car. He said he had declined Makhanya’s request as he had seen in the news that police wanted him for a murder in Gauteng. The police traced Makhanya to the flat that night, and he died after he allegedly tried to shoot his way out.

Makhanya allegedly met Olorato Mongale, 30, a postgraduate student at the University of the Witwatersrand, on social media and asked her out on a date. After picking her up from her place in Atholl, Johannesburg, her body was found three hours later, dumped in Lombardy West. He is alleged to have committed the crime with Bongani Mthimkhulu, who is still at large.

The woman who is accusing the tenant of being part of the syndicate will not be named to protect her identity. Relating her story to the media, the woman said she recognised the tenant’s voice as he gave an interview on TV. She said she had been in a romantic relationship with a friend of the tenant and had spent enough time around him to recognise his voice when she heard it. She also said she has been to the Amanzimtoti flat where the shoot-out happened, and recalled that the tenant had a lot of cellphones.

“I saw the iPhones, there was a box with many iPhones, some were brand new,” she said.

Responding to the allegations, provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said speculations alone are not enough for the police to act.

“The unfortunate part is that until we have a case that is registered by someone, and the investigation then points to this particular individual, only then can we be able to effect an arrest,” said Mkhwanazi.

Also watch: [Video] Alleged woman killer dead after shoot-out

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