JOHANNESBURG – A man wrongly identified as a suspect in the murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale has been officially cleared of any involvement.
Fezile Ngubane, who works at a local carwash, was mistakenly linked to the case due to identity theft. It’s understood that the main suspect, Philangenkosi Makhanya, had used Ngubane’s identity to RICA multiple SIM cards used in communication with women, including Mongale.
Ngubane presented himself to police in the presence of his father and has been cleared after verification of his identity.
Mongale’s body was discovered dumped on a street in Lombardy West, Johannesburg, earlier this week. She had gone missing after meeting a man she had recently been in contact with.
The primary suspect, Makhanya, was killed in a shootout with police in Amanzimtoti on Friday. Another suspect, Bongani Mthimkhulu, is still at large and is believed to be heading to Zimbabwe.
Ngubane’s case has highlighted the devastating impact identity theft can have on innocent people, especially when it links them to serious crimes.