KEY POINTS
- Olorato Mongale’s murder has sparked new national focus on femicide in the country and problems in the justice system.
- Activists rejected the idea of blaming women for the violence used against them and urged justice institutions and the state to take responsibility.
- Police identified the suspects as known offenders linked to a larger group that targets women at malls.
Following the murder of 30-year-old journalist Olorato Mongale, many people are angry once again about South Africa’s problems with femicide and a lack of justice.
Mongale disappeared following a date and her body was found later. One suspect is in custody and two others are still missing.
Authorities say the suspects used a planned method to meet young women at malls and later led them into danger by claiming they wanted a date.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that officers had previously arrested and charged Bongani Mthimkhulu and Philangenkosi Makhanya with kidnapping and robbery. Now, they have become fugitives.
Mathe mentioned that the police are exploring the possibility of a group that stalks and attacks young women again and again.
Activists stand against victim blaming
Sabrina Walter, the creator of Women For Change, said that always blaming victims for what happened misses the real point: there are many violent men and a broken justice system that fails to do much about it.
Asking women about how to stay safe is not the same as asking men and that’s what she pointed out. Walter argued that Mongale wasn’t careless—violent men roaming free enabled her shooting.
Walter also wanted answers from the President: “Why is President Ramaphosa not doing anything when women are being killed?” Where is he when we really look to him for guidance?”
She did everything right
Mukhethwa Dzhugudzha backed up the campaign against victim-blaming islands. He noted that Mongale told her friends about her plans and shared her location online, yet attackers still targeted her.
You can’t always tell who an abuser is by looking at them. Pop stars act much the same as regular people. If we tell women to take care, it makes violence seem normal, he argued.
Women can do things correctly and still face the same outcome as Olorato, because the issue lies with men’s sense of entitlement, not with her judgement.
Olorato Mongale’s murder confirms increasing femicide as gender-based violence goes up
Even though murders have decreased, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu told of an increase in gender-based violence during the last quarterly crime statistics for 2024-25.
Mongale’s case has sparked stronger demands for swift justice and real change, as many believe society continues to fail its most vulnerable members.
