{"id":8106,"date":"2025-06-02T11:14:26","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T09:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=8106"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:33:37","slug":"saps-clears-fezile-ngubane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/saps-clears-fezile-ngubane\/","title":{"rendered":"SAPS Clears Fezile Ngubane in Kidnapping and Murder Case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The South African Police Service (SAPS) have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saps.gov.za\/newsroom\/msspeechdetail.php?nid=61295\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">officially cleared<\/a> Fezile Ngubane of involvement in the high-profile kidnapping and murder case of journalist Olorato Mongale. Although investigators initially named Ngubane as a suspect, they have now confirmed that he is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/news\/south-africa\/crime\/fezile-ngubane-is-a-victim-not-suspect-in-kidnapping-case-says-saps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a victim of identity theft<\/a>, not a perpetrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/olorato-justice-suspect-shot\/\">Justice for Olorato: Lead Suspect Gunned Down, Parents Arrested, Others Still on the Run<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"background-ngubanes-arrest-and-investigation\">Background: Ngubane\u2019s Arrest and Investigation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fezile Ngubane&#8217;s father handed him over to police custody at the KwaMashu police station after media reports linked him to the murder of Olorato Mongale. A multidisciplinary team \u2014 comprising the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Investigating Units and the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team \u2014 launched a thorough investigation. After conducting detailed interviews and background checks, the police cleared Ngubane of all charges and released him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CHECK OUT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/woman-murdered-in-sandton\/\">Woman Murdered in Sandton: SAPS Intensifies Search for Suspect Known as \u2018John\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4194377536\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"identity-theft-by-deceased-suspect-philangenkosi-m\">Identity Theft by Deceased Suspect Philangenkosi Makhanya<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The investigation revealed that Philangenkosi Makhanya, a deceased suspect in the case, had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enca.com\/top-stories\/watch-fezile-ngubane-breaks-his-silence-after-his-name-was-cleared-olorato-mongale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stolen Ngubane\u2019s smart card ID<\/a>. He used the stolen ID to register multiple SIM cards (Rica SIMs), which he then used to facilitate kidnappings and robberies targeting young women across several provinces. He also misused Ngubane\u2019s bank card, making purchases at clothing stores. Ngubane, who lives in the same neighbourhood as Makhanya and makes a living washing cars. Ngubane appears to have had no involvement in the crimes; a fact that investigators say supports his claim of innocence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Ngubane family speak out after their son was cleared in Olorato Mongale murder case\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b_1O0OvOmig?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=b_1O0OvOmig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"scope-of-the-syndicates-crimes\">Scope of the Syndicate\u2019s Crimes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Police recovered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeslive.co.za\/news\/south-africa\/2025-05-31-fezile-ngubane-is-a-victim-not-involved-in-olorato-mongales-killing-police\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">27 stolen ID smart cards<\/a> from Makhanya\u2019s possession, including Ngubane\u2019s. The syndicate is linked to at least 20 kidnapping and robbery cases reported in cities such as Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Midrand, Nelspruit, Pretoria, and Johannesburg. The criminals operated across malls and public spaces, preying on vulnerable women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Olorato Mongale | Main suspect&#039;s friend speaks out\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gif8rdU7_Ds?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/gif8rdU7_Ds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3571021259\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ongoing-investigation-and-manhunt\">Ongoing Investigation and Manhunt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following Fezile Ngubane\u2019s clearance, the SAPS released the parents of one of the two suspects after taking their statements. The search continues for Bongani Mthimkhulu, the remaining suspect believed to be part of the syndicate. Police have urged him to surrender at the nearest station to face charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/sapsHQ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#sapsHQ<\/a> [OLORATO MURDER CASE] <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Wanted?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#Wanted<\/a>: The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SAPS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SAPS<\/a> has also added a third suspect in a list of wanted suspects related to the murder case of Olorato Mongale. Bongani Mthimkhulu who is a friend to Philangenkosi Makhanya is also a wanted suspect in this case. Mthimkulu is dressed in\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FGzijLuolw\">pic.twitter.com\/FGzijLuolw<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SA Police Service \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 (@SAPoliceService) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SAPoliceService\/status\/1927986441755242720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">May 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"broader-implications-and-saps-commitment\">Broader Implications and SAPS Commitment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This case highlights the importance of comprehensive investigations to distinguish victims from suspects. It also underscores the serious issue of identity theft facilitating crimes, including gender-based violence. The SAPS has reaffirmed its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide by deploying maximum resources to investigate and apprehend perpetrators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fezile Ngubane\u2019s case illustrates the complexities of criminal investigations and the necessity of protecting innocent individuals from wrongful accusations. The SAPS\u2019s swift and thorough action ensures justice is pursued accurately, reinforcing public trust in law enforcement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The South African Police Service (SAPS) have officially cleared Fezile Ngubane of involvement in the high-profile kidnapping and murder case of journalist Olorato Mongale. Although investigators initially named Ngubane as a suspect, they have now confirmed that he is a victim of identity theft, not a perpetrator. ALSO READ: Justice for Olorato: Lead Suspect Gunned<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":8114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"The South African Police Service (SAPS) have officially cleared Fezile Ngubane of involvement in the high-profile kidnapping and murder case of journalist...","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[2329,2244,2327,2328,2102,759,2325,2331,2332],"class_list":{"0":"post-8106","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-criminal-case","9":"tag-justice-for-olorato","10":"tag-kidnapping","11":"tag-murder","12":"tag-olorato-mongale","13":"tag-saps","14":"tag-south-african-police-service","15":"tag-suspects","16":"tag-victim"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8106"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8119,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8106\/revisions\/8119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}