South African police say they have dismantled a gang that targeted women in shopping centers, following the murder of university student Olorato Mongale.
Mongale, 30, was found dead in a field north of Johannesburg on Sunday, just two hours after being reported missing following a date. On Wednesday, police named three suspects they believe were involved in her killing.
“We have broken the back of a syndicate that is targeting women, especially young women, in malls for kidnapping and robbery,” police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe said.
Police said they recovered the white VW Polo believed to have been used in Mongale’s murder. The car, which had traces of blood inside, was seized at a panel beater workshop in Durban. One man, identified as the car’s owner, has been arrested.
Authorities released photographs of the three other suspects still at large: Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu. Makhanya and Mthimkhulu had previously been arrested for a similar kidnapping and robbery case in KwaZulu-Natal, but were released on bail.
“These suspects are dangerous, and we warn members of the public not to approach them,” Mathe said.
Mongale was last seen on Sunday leaving a location in Kew, Johannesburg, with a man she had met a few days earlier. CCTV footage showed her walking towards the VW Polo, which had fake license plates.
Friends said she had texted them before the date, saying she was excited to meet the man, who introduced himself only as John.
The discovery of her body sparked public outrage and calls for justice. Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda said Mongale’s body was “brutally violated.”
A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night at the site where her body was found. Family and friends described her as an outspoken and bubbly woman who “lived with purpose and love.”
Mongale, a journalism graduate from Rhodes University, had briefly worked as a multimedia reporter. While reporting, she covered the 2017 murder of Karabo Mokoena, who was killed by her boyfriend.
Her murder has reignited debates over violence against women in South Africa, a country with one of the world’s highest rates of gender-based violence. Between January and March this year, 137 women were murdered and more than 1,000 raped, according to police statistics. Studies have shown that on average, one woman in South Africa is killed by her intimate partner every eight hours.
