The mother and father of one of the suspects linked to Olorato Mongale’s death are in custody for allegedly tipping off their son that the police are looking for him.
The South African Police Service (Saps) provided an update to the murder case of the 30-year-old student on Thursday evening.
The police announced on social media that they had taken into custody the parents of one of the suspects, who is currently on the run.
Olorato Mongale
Mongale murder suspect’s parents in custody
“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, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where the suspect stayed, he had already left.
#sapsHQ [OLORATO MONGALE MURDER CASE UPDATE]
Two suspects in custody: the mother and father of one of the suspects who is on the run are in custody. 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’… pic.twitter.com/Ok866LjrVl— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 29, 2025
Earlier on Thursday, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Bongani Mthimkhulu, a friend of one of the primary suspects, is now wanted in connection with Mongale’s murder.
The development comes as investigators have made significant breakthroughs in KZN.
Vehicle used in crime recovered
They recovered the car allegedly used in the crime and arrested an elderly man believed to be connected to the case.
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 last on 20 April, on charges of kidnapping and robbery in the Brockbunny area.
The officer discovered the suspects had just kidnapped and robbed a woman, using the same VW Polo that would later become central to the Mongale murder investigation.
Both suspects appeared in court on 22 April, secured bail on 26 April, and remained free while police began linking them to additional crimes.
Since authorities released contact information for Brigadier Nama, who is handling the case, the public has responded in large numbers.
Suspects’ criminal history
“Since issuing this number, hundreds of ladies are calling. A lot of women are calling and giving out information on how they met, particularly Bongani Mthimkhulu and Phila Makhanya, on several occasions,” she said.
Mathe encouraged more women to come forward with information about their experiences with the suspects.
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