Suspect in murder of South African student died in police firefight.

One of the suspects in the killing of a South African university student was killed during a shootout between him and police officers.

Olorato Mongale was found dead on Sunday after two hours after she went out on an initial date and was reported missing to law enforcement authorities.

On Friday morning at dawn, police located their target, identified as Amanzimtoti’s primary suspect, at an unspecified residential complex there, according to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

Brigadier Mathe stated that an unknown suspect shot at officers, prompting them to return fire and kill him, thus ending any potential threat posed by this individual.

Regional police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi reported that at the time of the suspect’s death, he possessed 28 ID cards and 12 mobile phones.

Once word of the shooting got out, Chriselda Kananda spoke on behalf of Olorato Mongale’s family to South African broadcaster SABC News: “This news brings great comfort for Olorato’s loved ones that justice will have been served before she is laid to rest.”

Ms Mongale’s death has generated considerable debate around violence towards South African women.

India ranks high globally in rates of femicide and gender-based violence.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu condemned Ms Mongale’s killing as inhumane and “gruesome”, imploring all men, “please stop killing women. Please stop killing women!”.

While continuing their search for two other individuals allegedly connected with this murder, police arrested and detained both parents of a deceased suspect as part of this ongoing investigation.

Mother of Suspect V: Alleged Aider of Evading Arrest” (Wikipedia). According to accusations against the suspect’s mother, she helped her son evade arrest by alerting him of police presence at her residence and providing details that enabled the accused person to avoid getting caught by police officers.

Police noted that the suspect’s father owns the Volkswagen Polo used in Ms. Mongale’s killing.

Police officials told Brig Mathe that their seizure of a vehicle contained signs of blood inside it, suggesting its possible involvement.

Mkhwanazi reported that both parents of the suspect were detained but have now been freed, adding:

Recently, police identified three suspects linked to this murder as Fezile Ngubane, Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makhanya, and Bongani Mthimkhulu.

Last month, two suspects, Mr Makhanya and Mr Mthimkhulu, were arrested on charges of kidnapping and robbing a woman from KwaZulu-Natal using the VW Polo involved in Mongale’s murder; both men had since been granted bail and released.

As part of their investigation into the killing, police have identified a criminal gang or “syndicate” which has been targeting women at malls for kidnapping and robbery”, said Mathe.

“They approach them, ask to go out on dates together, and when they agree, they plan on robbing them,” she explained.

Ms Mongale was last sighted on Sunday while out with a date with an acquaintance she met recently at a shopping centre.

CCTV footage captured her leaving an area in Kew, Johannesburg, and walking towards a white Volkswagen Polo with fake license plates.

Friends of a 30-year-old female said she was invited on a date by an individual identified only as John, whom she met while studying postgraduate degrees in Johannesburg at Witwatersrand University.

Shortly before leaving home, she texted one of her friends, saying that she was excited and prepping herself for an amazing date night.

But police eventually located her body in an open field, prompting public outrage and a demand for justice to be served.

Family representatives allege Ms Mongale was subjected to “brutally violent assault”.

On Wednesday evening in Lombardy West, where her body was located, there was a candlelight vigil held.

Family and friends described her as an outspoken, bubbly individual who lived life with purpose and love, local media reported.