News24 | When a date turns deadly: Police search for Joburg woman’s suitor

Olorato Mongale went on a date with her alleged killer on Saturday.

• Police are looking for a man named John who is driving a VW Polo.
• This after he picked up a Johannesburg woman for a date on Saturday.
• She was later found murdered and her body dumped.

A date with a suitor turned deadly for a Johannesburg woman after she was found murdered and her body dumped.

Now, police say they have launched a manhunt for the suspected murderer – a man who goes by the name of John and drives a white VW Polo – who allegedly killed the 30-year-old woman.

Olorato M ongale went on a date with her alleged killer on Saturday.

He picked her up from her residential complex, driving a white VW Polo. The vehicle was fitted with fake registration number plates: LT 57 JG GP.

“The man fetched Olorato at her residential complex in Athol, Johannesburg at around 15:00 on Sunday. He drove with the victim in the township of Alexandra, proceeded to Kew and between Alexandra and Lombardy West in Johannesburg, this man allegedly murdered Olorato and dumped her body,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Some of Mongale’s belongings, including a phone and a handbag, were found abandoned on 9th Road in Kew.

“Her body was found in less than two hours at around 16:50 in Lombardy West on Monday afternoon by the SAPS with the assistance of community members,” said Mathe.

She added that Gauteng police are investigating the possibility that “John” was with another male suspect when they allegedly murdered Olorato.

READ | Joburg woman found dead less than two hours after leaving for date

Last week, police pounced on a man who was targeting women on Facebook using a fake profile and identity.

The 24-year-old man is still in custody and has already appeared before the Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court on a charge of kidnapping and rape.

He allegedly lured a 28-year-old female to Limpopo under false pretences and raped her repeatedly. She was later rescued by police at a filling station in Giyani.

“While police investigating teams are on the ground on the Olorato Mongale case and several other GBVF cases, we are urging women to be extra vigilant and look out for this VW Polo,” said Mathe.

Police also urged women to always report their whereabouts to friends and family when meeting new friends or going out on dates.

“Avoid meeting strangers in secluded areas and only [meet] in public spaces,” Mathe added.