JOHANNESBURG - What began as an ordinary date turned into tragedy when 30-year-old Olorato Mongale was murdered.
Her body was dumped in Lombardy West in Johannesburg on Monday.
Yet another case of gender based violence revealing a disturbing train of events, showing she may have been a victim of a syndicate targeting women.
Since her body's discovery, the case has been moving at a staggering pace.
Here's how it all unfolded.
Olorato Mongale
Mongale was a Wits University Postgraduate student and former radio presenter. She was a well-accomplished communications professional and taught English in South Korea.
The 30-year-old has held roles in government and private sector communications, including at the Free State Department of Economic Development and global consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
The Fatal Date
On the afternoon of 25 May, Mongale left her Athol residence for a date with a man she knew only as "John."
CCTV footage and police accounts reveal she was picked up in a white VW Polo at around three in the afternoon.
Less than two hours later, her lifeless body was discovered in nearby Lombardy West.
Community members helped police locate the scene.
Police Progress
26 May: Investigators track a VW Polo to a panel beater workshop in Phoenix, Durban.
Traces of blood are discovered inside, and one man — the alleged owner of the car —is arrested.
28 May: Police name two suspects on the run, Fezile Ngubane and Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya.
29 May: In a major breakthrough, police take the parents of one of the suspects into custody.
The father is reportedly the owner of the VW Polo used in the crime, while the mother allegedly tipped off her son, allowing him to flee just moments before police arrived at his Inanda home.
Bongani Mthimkhulu, a friend of Makhanya’s has been added as a third suspect.
Police breaking the backbone of syndicate
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says they are now investigating a possible syndicate that targets young women under the pretense of pursuing a love interest.
"They propose to this young woman usually in malls, request to take them out on dates, and when they agree, that is when they plan to rob them," Mathe says.
A Pattern of Violence
The investigation further reveals that both Mthimkhulu and Makhanya had been arrested previously for kidnapping and robbery in Boksburg in April.
In that case too, they were driving a white VW Polo. They have been on out on bail.
Suspects in the Olorato Mongale murder case
Shootout in Amanzimtoti
Also on 29 May, one of the prime suspects was gunned down in KwaZulu-Natal after opening fire on police. Law enforcement had tracked him to a residential complex in Amanzimtoti.
