Police in KwaZulu-Natal have sent a stern warning to people who are aiding and abetting two of the suspects wanted in connection with the murder of Olorato Mongale.
This after two accomplices were arrested after they helped the main suspect in the Mongale murder, Philangenkosi Makhanya, escape from police by driving him around to the malls and different other locations.
In addition, police are also looking for other suspects, who were seen with Makhanya in KwaMashu, and took him to a shopping mall to withdraw money.
Makhanya was killed during a police shootout with the police in the early hours of this morning, at a flat in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, when he shot at the police who then returned fire killing him.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said the Makhanya went to the apartment in Amanzimtoti, to rent a vehicle.
“From there, we were able to then trace all the movements of that vehicle, where he dropped off, who was traveling with him. So, we do have the suspect that was driving the vehicle and the accomplice that was also with him.”
“He came here to rent the vehicle, apparently, he rented a vehicle in the past from the same guy.
This guy says, allegedly, he didn’t give him the car because he had seen his photo in the media that he was wanted for something, so he kept him there and he was interrogating him.
He said he confessed to what he did in Johannesburg, he wanted to commit suicide and didn’t’ want to hand himself to the police,” said Mkhwanazi.
The commissioner said the suspect was facing a kidnapping case in KwaMashu, Brakpan, adding that they found other people’s belongings with him.
“We found 28 ID cards, 20 cellphones, and we’re trying to ascertain who they belong to.
He’s been moving around with a safe, we don’t know for what purpose.
We would like to believe that there are other victims that are going to be involved with this guy,” explained Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi said the tenant spent the whole day with the suspect, even went out to buy food for him while he left the door locked.
“The shooting happened when the police arrived.
This guy confirms that he did not search him, he didn’t know whether he was carrying a firearm.
So, when the police came in, knocked at the door and opened the door that’s when he pulled out his gun,” explained Mkhwanazi.
Makhanya allegedly confessed that the other two suspects, Fezile Ngubane and Bongani Mthimkhulu, were contemplating to escape to Zimbabwe.
The suspects were sought after Mongale’s lifeless body was discovered in Lombardy, after she was last seen in a CCTV camera walking towards a VW Polo, which was discovered at a panel beater workshop in Phoenix, Durban, on Wednesday.
