Durban – Police have shot dead one of the wanted suspects in the murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale.
The suspect was hiding out at a flat in Amanzimtoti, where he allegedly opened fire at police officers before he was shot dead.
Confirming the shootout, Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said there was a “takedown operation in Durban”.
The dead suspect has not been named, but police had put out a “be on the lookout” notice for three suspects – Bongani Mthimkhulu, Philangenkosi Makhanya, and Fezile Ngubane.
Reports from the scene, but not independently verified by The Bulrushes, say it was Philangenkosi Makhanya who was shot dead.
On Thursday, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi announced that police had taken in the mother of one of the suspects for questioning.
The mother was suspected of tipping off her son, one of the suspects, that the police were looking for him and were heading to his hideout.
The “elderly man” arrested earlier on Thursday was the owner of the VW Polo allegedly used in the murder of the Rhodes University journalism graduate.
Mongale’s body was found on a sidewalk in Lombardy West on Sunday afternoon by the police with the assistance of community members, just hours after she was picked up from her residence in Athol by a man known only as “John,” who was driving a VW Polo.
The VW Polo has since been at the panel beater.
Police forensic experts found traces of blood inside the car.
Two suspects remain at large.
The suspects:
