Six suspects to appear in court for murder of KZN principal

A total of six men are expected to appear before the Greytown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 October 2020, in connection with the killing of a 46-year-old school principal in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the province, the victim was shot dead at a school in the area on Friday, 23 October at approximately noon. The suspects then fled the scene in their getaway vehicle, which they abandoned and was in turn, found by the authorities.

Another teacher hijacked

However, they were far from done with their crime spree and allegedly hijacked a teacher who was on her way home and fled in her car.

“Police intercepted the vehicle at KwaDolo Reserve in Greytown and six men were arrested. Police seized a R5 rifle, 2 revolvers and 65 rounds of ammunition as well as 8 cellphones and the hijacked vehicle,” said SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker.

The suspects, aged between 26 and 38, now face charges of murder and carjacking as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

While an investigation is currently underway, police have also said the firearms seized would be subjected to ballistic tests to determine whether they were used in the commission of other crimes.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, has lauded police officers for their rapid response in both incidents as well as the community who assisted in the apprehension of the suspects.

“These attacks on schools must be condemned by all sectors of society and we call on communities to work with police to proactively identify criminals living in their neighbourhood and to weed them out before they take the lives of innocent people. We will ensure that the suspects face the full might of law,”

SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker

At the same time, a 26-year-old woman, who is a compliance officer, was shot and killed inside a school at Vumbu Reserve in Maphumulo – on the same day the principal was killed.

“Two men armed with a shotgun and a knife were intercepted in a forest by police officers. One man was shot and fatally wounded during the skirmish whilst the other man was arrested. Police seized a shotgun and ammunition as well as a knife. The suspect will be charged for murder, attempted murder as well as illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will appear at the Maphumulo Magistrate’s Court soon,” Naicker further said.