One of the alleged killers of Olorato Mongale, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya, has been buried after his parents tried to hide details from the media, neighbours, and the police.
According to a relative and some neighbours who spoke to Sunday World, the family allegedly misled some community members in KwaMashu’s H section, north of Durban. The family claimed that they would conduct the funeral in their ancestral village in the province.
Private event
They (family) flatly declined to disclose any details about the matter to Sunday World. They only said it was a private event. However, one relative was willing to speak out on condition of anonymity.
Behind the scenes, the family prepared for the funera. Makhanya was buried in a low-key funeral service at Phoenix cemeteries owned by the eThekwini municipality.
“They left early (on Sunday) in the morning to go and bury him in Phoenix. Throughout the process, the police were there, as they came in late on Sunday to monitor the night vigil. There was no spinning of cars and chaos. The armed police were ready to pounce on anyone breaking the law,” a relative who was part of the funeral told Sunday World.
Makhanya was killed a few days after his picture was circulated on social media by the police. Police said he was wanted for the brutal murder of Mongale after she was lured to a false date in Gauteng.
Killed at a hideout
Police later learnt that Makhanya was hiding in a residential complex in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban. When the police pounced, he allegedly opened fire. This sparked a gun battle with the no-nonsense KwaZulu-Natal police.
“The main suspect in the Olorato Mongale murder case was found by SAPS hiding at a residential complex in Amanzimtoti. When police announced their arrival, he shot at police, police returned fire, and he was fatally wounded. Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi is on scene,” SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said shortly after Makhanya was killed in the early hours of May 30.
