Olorato Mongale Slain by Man After a Date Laid to Rest, 14-Year-Old Likhona Fose Murdered and Mutilated Over Sexuality

Olorato Mongale. Picture: Supplied.

Thirty-year-old Olorato Mongale was laid to rest on Sunday, 1 June, in her hometown of Bloemfontein. Her funeral followed the horrific discovery of her body dumped on the side of a road in Lombardy West, Johannesburg, on 25 May, the same day she had met a man for a date.

According to reports, Mongale had informed her friends about the meeting and asked them to check on her if she didn’t confirm her safety within an hour. CCTV footage from her Sandton apartment shows her getting into a white VW vehicle with the man shortly before 3 p.m.

When her friends realised she hadn’t checked in, they attempted to reach her. After receiving no response, they used the Find Me app to track her location, which last pinged in Lombardy West.

At around 5 p.m. that day, residents of Lombardy West witnessed a white VW stopping on a roadside and dumping what appeared to be a parcel before speeding away. Upon investigation, community members discovered the lifeless body of a woman, which was later confirmed by police and relatives to be that of Olorato Mongale, a Rhodes University Journalism graduate and current postgraduate student at Wits University.

Just days after her murder, police identified three suspects believed to be involved. One of the suspects, Philangenkosi Makhanya, alleged to be the mastermind behind Mongale’s kidnapping and murder, was shot and killed during a shootout with police on Friday, 30 May.

Media reports also state that Mongale had met her killers two days before her murder in Bloemfontein, while she was with her mother.

Police have since ruled out one individual who was initially suspected but later found to have been a victim himself, his ID and SIM card had been fraudulently used by Makhanya. The third suspect, Bongangi Mtimkhulu remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing. According to the Sunday World, Makhanya and Mtimkhulu had pending robbery and kidnapping cases and were known for targeting unsuspecting women at various shopping centres across the country.

POLICE INVESTIGATING MURDER OF ROODEPOORT TEEN

Likhona Fose. Picture: Supplied.

Police are investigating a case of murder following the discovery of the body of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, whose mutilated body was found at Durban Deep in Roodepoort.

Her body was discovered under a shrub by a passerby who immediately alerted the police. Likhona had gone missing on Sunday afternoon (1 June).

Speaking to the Citizen, the 14-year-old’s uncle, Mthobeli Fose, said the family believes that Likhona was attacked because of her sexual orientation. “They killed her with intent. We had accepted as a family that she was lesbian, we’d even buy her pants,” the uncle said.

According to the uncle, the 14-year-old’s private parts were missing.

Likhona Fose. Picture: Supplied.

According to local authorities, Likhona was last seen on Sunday afternoon after leaving home with friends. Her sudden disappearance prompted the search effort that tragically ended with the discovery of her body.

Police have opened a murder investigation into the case.

Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane told the Citizen that he was saddened by Likhona’s death, especially since the country was observing Child Protection Week (29 May – 5 June)

“As the Department, we cannot begin to express how deeply disheartened we are by the loss of Likhona, a young girl learner who had a bright future ahead of her.

“For her life to have been taken from her in such a brutal manner is unacceptable, and we call on law enforcement authorities to speedily apprehend those responsible for this heinous act,” Chiloane said.

The MEC further said that it was disheartening that South Africa was faced with prevalent levels of abuse against children, week after week.

“Likhona Fose was only 14. A daughter. A learner. A child. Her life was stolen, brutally, during National Child Protection Week. A time meant to affirm our commitment to the safety and dignity of every child in South Africa.

Week after week, we are confronted by unspeakable violence against our children. This is no longer just a policing issue. It is a deep societal rot,” Chiloane said.