Activists condemn ongoing scourge of gender-based violence after Olorato Mongale's murder

WOMEN'S rights activists and civil society organisations have reacted with outrage to yet another reported incident of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) following the death of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale, whose body was found near Lombardy, north of Johannesburg.

Reports indicate that the young woman, originally from the Free State, had gone on a date with her alleged killer, believed to be a man identified as John, who collected her on Sunday from a residential complex in Athol.

Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda said Mongale had told her friends to search for her should she not send them a message revealing her whereabouts in an hour following her outing.

“We are devastated by this tragic loss, and we ask that you continue to keep her family in your prayers. Her friends began to get worried after two hours passed without Olorato sending them a location. They then activated ‘Find My Location’, and it led them to a house in Bramley. The friends found her bag and cellphone outside the house,” she said.

SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said police in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for an African male who uses the name 'John' and drives a white VW Polo with a cloned number plate LT 52 JG GP belonging to a Toyota Hilux.

It is reported that the suspect drove with the victim in the township of Alexandra, proceeded to Kew and between Alexandra and Lombardy West in Johannesburg, where he allegedly killed Mongale and dumped her body in the veld.

Mathe also revealed that some of Mongale’s belongings, which include a phone and a handbag, were found abandoned on 9th road in Kew, Johannesburg.

"Her body was found in less than two hours at around 4.50 pm in Lombardy West on Sunday afternoon by the SAPS with the assistance of community members.

"Gauteng police are investigating the possibility that ‘John’ was with another male suspect when they allegedly murdered Olorato. Gauteng police are also investigating a similar case after a 39-year-old woman was found dumped in Catherine Street in Sandown, Sandton on May 8."

Activist Rosie Motene said GBVF is a pandemic in South Africa.

"The brutal killing of Olorato Mongale is not an isolated incident - it’s part of a devastating pattern. The situation is far worse than statistics show. Many survivors do not report due to fear, intimidation, lack of access, or a justice system that continues to fail them. In both my personal and activist roles, I’ve witnessed firsthand the barriers survivors face just to open a case.

"Police officers often tell victims to ‘go home and make peace’ or claim they have no jurisdiction. In rural areas, where police services and survivor-centred support are virtually non-existent, the danger is even more acute."

Bafana Khumalo, speaking on behalf of Sonke Gender Justice, said more needs to be done to address GBVF in the country.

"The UN General Secretary asserts that the rate of GBVF in SA is five times the global average. “When the minister of police released the quarterly crime stats last week, the report indicated that sexual offences were still very high.

"Some cases are managed well where you have authorities acting swiftly and professionally, but sadly, this is not always the case.  We need a combination of responses to curb the scourge, which include improving prevention programmes with men and boys," Khumalo said.