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Public outcry follows murder of South African student as suspect killed in police shootout

Friday 30 May 2025 - 14:33
Public outcry follows murder of South African student as suspect killed in police shootout
By: Dakir Madiha
Zoom

A suspect wanted for the murder of a South African university student has been killed in a police shootout, igniting public outrage and calls for justice.

Olorato Mongale's body was discovered on Sunday in Lombardy, situated north of Johannesburg, just two hours after she was reported missing following a date. In the early hours of Friday, police officers located the main suspect hiding in a residential complex in Amanzimtoti. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, the suspect opened fire on the officers, who subsequently returned fire, resulting in his death.

Ms. Mongale’s tragic death has sparked a fervent debate regarding the alarming levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. The search continues for two additional men linked to her murder, while authorities have arrested the parents of the deceased suspect. The suspect’s mother is accused of enabling him to evade capture by alerting him to the police’s presence. Furthermore, the suspect’s father is believed to own a VW Polo that was allegedly used in Ms. Mongale’s murder.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns about gender-based violence in the country, as calls for reform grow louder amidst a backdrop of societal unrest.


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