Fezile Ngubane is a victim, not involved in Olorato Mongale's killing: police
KwaZulu-Natal man Fezile Ngubane who was initially identified as a suspect sought by police in the Olorato Mongale murder and said to be in a syndicate targeting young women has been cleared.
Mongale was last seen leaving her flat in northern Johannesburg for a date with a man who called himself 'John' on Sunday afternoon. Her body was later discovered in Lombardy East near Alexandra.
The white VW Polo used to pick up Mongale was found at a panel-beating workshop in Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday.
Police initially identified Philangenkosi Makhanya and Ngubane as people of interest in the murder.
On Thursday morning police identified a third man, Bongani Mthimkhulu, who is a friend of Makhanya, as an additional suspect.
National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said on Saturday Ngubane's father handed him over to KwaMashu police on Friday when he learnt his son was being sought by police in the Mongale murder case.
'A multidisciplinary team led by the deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection in Gauteng, Maj-Gen Mbuso Khumalo, the SAPS national anti-kidnapping task team, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provincial investigating unit (PIU) have now cleared Ngubane after a thorough interview and preliminary investigation.'
A preliminary report found Ngubane washes cars for a living and stays in the same neighbourhood as Makhanya, who died during a confrontation with police at an Amanzimtoti flat on Friday.
Mathe said Makhanya allegedly identified Ngubane as a soft target and took his ID smart card and used it to Rica SIM cards. These were alleged used by Makhanya to commit kidnapping and robbery involving young women. Makhanya is alleged to have also used Ngubane's bank card at various clothing stores.
Ngubane's ID was found as part of a batch of 27 ID smart cards found on Friday in Makhanya's possession at a flat belonging to a man who rents vehicles.
Mathe said the parents of one of the two suspects were released after they deposed statements.
'Police are sitting with at least 20 cases where women have come forward identifying the suspects as those that kidnapped and robbed them. Some of these cases were reported in Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Midrand, Ogies and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, Pretoria and Johannesburg.'
She said the search for Mthimkhulu continues.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Probe as SANDF confirms deadly incident at Mpumalanga base
The SANDF and SAPS have launched a joint investigation into the deaths of two soldiers at the Macadamia Military Base in Mpumalanga. The SANDF confirmed Saturday's incident near Komatipoort in a statement. 'A SANDF member, who had been approved for withdrawal from duty, attacked fellow soldiers in his accommodation. One member died during the incident. The attacker later died from self-inflicted wounds when he stabbed himself on the neck,' said the SANDF on Saturday. The SANDF said Military Health and Chaplain Services were sent to support the affected members. 'The SANDF and the South African Police Service launched a joint investigation. The names of the deceased were withheld until their families had been informed. Further details will be shared as the investigation continues.' The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and the chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, have sent their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
New integrity testing measures for Hawks officers
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is forging ahead with plans to have members of the Hawks subjected to integrity testing, including polygraph, alcohol, and drug tests. Image: SAPS POLICE Minister Senzo Mchunu is forging ahead with plans to have members of the Hawks subjected to integrity testing, including polygraph, alcohol, and drug tests. Mchunu recently released amendments to South African Police Service (SAPS) Regulations for the Hawks, which were first introduced in September 2010. In terms of the regulations, Hawks officers are to be subjected to integrity testing, including polygraph, alcohol, and drug tests. In addition, every member, irrespective of rank, shall, not later than April 30 of every year, disclose to the minister his or her registrable business interests, those registrable interests of his or her immediate family members, of which he or she is aware. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The regulations also empower the national head of the Hawks to conduct or authorise any member or any other person to conduct an integrity testing programme to test the integrity of any relevant member of the directorate. Integrity testing programmes may involve an act or omission (by a person who is conducting the integrity testing) that offers a relevant member whose integrity is being tested the opportunity to engage in behaviour, whether lawful or unlawful, in contravention of the SAPS's code of conduct or contravention of any law; or constituting misconduct in terms of the disciplinary regulations. According to the regulations, integrity testing also involves testing a member for the abuse of alcohol or drugs, or using the polygraph or a similar instrument. Mchunu's amendments make provision for a report detailing the outcome of the polygraph or similar test to be submitted to the integrity section for further investigation. '(The) integrity section must, as soon as such investigation is finalised, submit the investigation report to the head of the directorate and the vetting officers for further handling,' state the amendments. Hawks members who, without good reason, fail to provide a specimen of breath as required commit misconduct, and if found guilty, may be subject to the sanction for disobeying a lawful order, command, or instruction in terms of the SAPS disciplinary regulations. Specimens of breath from a relevant Hawks member when reporting for duty, while on duty or while on call for duty, may not have any evidence of alcohol when such member is tested. Cape Times
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
SARS disrupts illicit fuel trade with operations across three provinces
SARS disrupts illicit fuel trade with operations across three provinces The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat the illicit fuel trade, a crime that costs the fiscus billions annually. Over the past four months, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) has implemented several key interventions to disrupt illegal fuel trade operations. A joint intelligence team made up of SARS and SAPS officials identified 23 targets across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. ALSO READ: SARS enhances eFiling for 2025 season In addition, 13 criminal cases were registered with the SAPS, supported by SARS trade investigators, for violations of customs and excise laws and fraud. 'The intelligence-driven joint enforcement operations included search-and-seizure actions at selected fuel storage facilities and depots, along with random sampling of tanker transports to test fuel viscosity and composition,' SARS stated. 'In some instances, diesel analysed during the investigations contained up to 68% paraffin.' Over the past decade, the Maputo Corridor, spanning SA, Eswatini and Mozambique, has become a hotspot for the illicit fuel trade, driven by organised networks that smuggle and illegally adulterate fuel. ALSO READ: Get ready: SARS tax season starts July 7 SARS found that some importers declare fuel quantities of 40 000l or less, while investigations show they actually import up to 60 000l. 'This practice is known as under-declaration and falsified documents are used to conceal this fraudulent activity,' SARS explained. 'SARS has also identified a national trend of fuel-storage and distribution depots adulterating fuel products, particularly by illegally mixing diesel with paraffin.' According to the International Trade Administration Commission, fuel adulteration alone costs the fiscus about R3.6b annually. Faced with this well-planned criminality, government agencies are collaborating closely to detect, prevent and combat fuel adulteration while enforcing the Customs and Excise Act. SARS noted that the illicit economy is a global threat that endangers SA's society, economy and national security. ALSO READ: SARS unveils faster eFiling with enhanced security 'Tax evasion, smuggling, illegal transactions, illicit manufacturing and fraud undermine the rule of law, erode public trust, distort markets, drain government revenue and fuel corruption and organised crime,' SARS said. 'The widespread nature of these illicit activities demands that all enforcement agencies work together to curb their harmful impact. 'The illicit economy is complex and demands a whole-of-government response, involving public entities, the private sector, civil society and international partners.' SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter thanked the SARS and SAPS teams and other government departments for their efforts to detect and prevent the scourge of the illicit economy. 'The criminal syndicates behind these brazen acts have grown emboldened to act with callous disregard and no restraint in pursuit of their rapacious criminal gains,' the commissioner stated. 'These syndicates underestimate our resolve to eradicate this criminality at their peril. These acts threaten the very foundation of our society. Our message is clear: We will spare no effort to crush them.' Kieswetter affirmed that State agencies would collaborate and operate within the law to confront illicit trade. Among the joint intelligence team's findings: • Some 953 515l of contaminated diesel fuel; • Six fuel depots in contravention of Section 37 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964, as amended; • Assets and contaminated fuel valued at R367 274 330, leading to further investigation and criminal and civil liabilities; • Two so-called fuel 'washrooms', one a rare mobile 'washroom' fitted on a transport truck, used to remove paraffin markers; • Twelve fuel transport trucks were identified after a suspected false declaration on importation of an average of 15 000l fuel per tanker. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
