Another day, another call for justice for a victim of a gruesome and gender-charged murder in South Africa, as South Africans learn about the case of Wits University student Olerato Mongale’s body was dumped from a white VW this week.
South Africans from across the country have taken to social media to mourn yet another victim of a gender-based crime. Olerato Mongale was a Wits University student who left her residence excited for a first date, only to meet the tragic fate of her gruesome murder, allegedly at the hands of her date.
As she was going on a date with an unknown individual, Olerato reportedly tried to take some safety precautions by alerting her friends to be concerned should she not communicate with them within an hour. This, unfortunately, did not guarantee her safety, as her ‘swollen and beaten’ body was later dumped by the same VW Polo that allegedly picked her up from the date, as narrated by Police Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
According to Athlenda, the police will be intensifying their investigations regarding this case, as the suspected perpetrator, whom she identified as Don, is still on the loose. Furthermore, she reveals that they believe that Don was not working alone, but had an accomplice present when he dropped Olerato’s dead body off in Lombardy, where several witnesses were present.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says community members discovered that a Polo VW had dumped a large object which was later found to have been the body of Olorato Mongale. She says the police are intensifying investigations.
Watch: https://t.co/V5U9FxJnJi#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/Elq3albvPu
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 27, 2025
This case has garnered some anger from citizens who continue to voice frustration over the high rates of GBV in South Africa. These users highlight that just like Oleratao, women cannot protect themselves from premeditated crimes, but rather reiterate how the onus and problem is on the murderers and men that roam the streets in high numbers.
Women cannot ‘extra-careful’ rapists & murderous men, please put your inane warnings to rest. Olerato shared her location with loved ones, Uyinene was at the post office, Cwecwe was at school; the list goes on. We don’t have a careless women problem, we have a murderous men one.
— Ree (@Moanerleaser) May 27, 2025
Olerato Mongale did everything “right”. But she’s dead.
She followed the rules we’re told will keep us alive.
And still, a man killed her.
Her body was dumped like she didn’t matter.
And we, the women of South Africa, are grieving.
We are furious.— Charlotte’s Mum (@RobynPorteous) May 27, 2025
These users have rallied behind Olerato and her loved ones, and expressed condolences and sympathy for the young student, as they highlight the harsh reality that, as a woman in South Africa, this could be their reality on any day, as per the GBV and crime stats.
Olerato was a 30yrs old woman. She trusted the guy just like ya’all trust your partners though you’ve been strangers before, I don’t know why she’s being shamed. Cause it could be anyone really. It doesn’t matter if it’s a vw polo or what, it could be anyone…
— Zealot New (@Zealot_New) May 27, 2025
This poor lady was killed because she went out on a date for the first time with a guy, yet there are men who blame the victim for going on a date. There is nothing wrong to go out on a date honestly, the person who killed this lady was on a mission and Olerato wouldn’t know… pic.twitter.com/uUfNrCuC0M
— Miss Fabulous?✨️ (@MissFabulous_) May 27, 2025
