‘Suspect’ in Olorato Mongale murder case cleared - SAPS
The South African Police Service(SAPS) says Fezile Ngubane, who was initially identified as a suspect in a syndicate targeting young women, has been cleared.
“A multidisciplinary team led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in Gauteng, Major General Mbuso Khumalo, the SAPS National Anti-kidnapping task team, KZN, and Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit have now cleared Ngubane following a thorough interview and preliminary investigation,” said national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe on Saturday.
According to Mathe, Ngubane’s father handed him in at the KwaMashu police station on Friday when he learnt that his son was sought by police in the Olorato murder case.
She said a preliminary report suggests Ngubane washes cars for a living and stays in the same neighbourhood as deceased Philangenkosi Makhanya, who was killed during a shootout with police on Friday.
READ: Olorato Mongale suspect killed by KZN police
“Makhanya allegedly identified Ngubane as a soft target and took his ID smart card and used it to Rica SIM cards that Makhanya would use to commit his long list of kidnapping and robbery crimes targeted at young women. At times, it's alleged that he would use Ngubane’s bank card to buy at various clothing stores,” Mathe explained.
Ngubane’s ID was found as part of the 27 ID smart cards found in possession of the deceased.
READ MORE:Main suspect in Olorato Mongale murder ‘confessed’
PARENTS RELEASED AFTER QUESTIONING
Police have released the parents of one of the two suspects in the case after their statements were taken down.
“Police are sitting with at least twenty cases where women have come forward identifying the suspects as those who kidnapped and robbed them. Some of these cases were reported in Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Midrand, Ogies, and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, Pretoria, and Johannesburg,” added Mathe.
The search for a second suspect, Bongani Mthimkulu, who is still on the run, continues
Police have called on him to hand himself over at his nearest police station.
ALSO READ:
