More than 20 women’s identities are under investigation after their ID documents were discovered in the possession of a suspected criminal linked to the murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale.
Philangenkosi Makhanya, the main suspect in Mongale’s killing, was fatally shot during a police operation in Amanzimtoti on Friday. Authorities have connected him to multiple serious crimes, including murder, robbery, and kidnapping.
Stolen IDs Fuel Criminal Activity
The recovery of the identity documents has raised concerns about how stolen personal information is exploited by criminals. Forensic investigator Chad Thomas from IRS warned that syndicates often use stolen IDs to create fake identities, open fraudulent bank accounts, or facilitate other crimes such as human trafficking and express kidnappings.
“Stolen identities can be sold to syndicates for use in money mule accounts or to apply for credit,” Thomas explained. “Victims are essentially victimized twice—first by the theft and then by the misuse of their personal details.”
Police Probe Potential Links to Other Crimes
Authorities are now working to track down the women whose IDs were found, hoping to determine whether they were targeted for further crimes. Thomas noted that police could cross-reference the identity numbers with the national crime database (CARE system) to see if any of the victims had previously reported crimes.
“We hope most of these women are still safe,” he said. “This syndicate operated nationwide, primarily targeting young women, so this investigation could help solve multiple cases.”
Call for Greater Vigilance Over Personal Documents
The case has reignited debate over how South Africans can better protect their identity documents, especially amid rising concerns about illegal immigration and document fraud. While Home Affairs is moving toward a digitized identification system, Thomas emphasized that, for now, citizens must remain cautious.
“Everything in South Africa revolves around your ID number,” he said. “While you can’t prevent theft during an armed robbery, people should still take steps to secure their personal information wherever possible.”
Police are expected to provide updates on the case in the coming week as they work to locate the affected women and uncover further connections to criminal networks.