Pretoria - KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Senzo Mchunu has condemned the brutal murder of yet another Umsinga educator, who was shot several times within the school premises.
The incident, which left educators and learners at Somashi High School in shock, took place at uMzinyathi District on Sunday evening. The educator was shot several times in front of his living quarters, while some learners were on the school premises studying for their final exams.
This comes just weeks after a principal, also in Umsinga, was stoned to death. His body was found in an open field, his shoes, cell phone and car was stolen.
"This incident is of grave concern to us as the department because these are seemingly no longer isolated cases. In a space of three weeks, there have been three incidents where educators' lives were put at risk by faceless thugs," said Mchunu.
This is not the first time that a teacher was attacked at Somashi High School. In 1999, one teacher survived a shooting incident and again in 2008, learners attacked educators with stones during the night.
Mchunu called on communities to come forward with information which will lead to the arrest of the criminals.
"Culprits are always known in communities where they operate. We therefore call on communities to expose these people so that they can be removed from society.
"The department is currently struggling with teacher-shortage, particularly in rural areas such as Umsinga. Undoubtedly, this incident could worsen this dire situation," said Mchunu.
Mchunu called on police to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those responsible for these brutal murders are brought to book and that they face the full might of the law.
"Criminals should have no place in our society, such heinous crimes cannot be tolerated, the only way we can build this country is if we take a decisive stance against wrong-doing, in whatever shape or form," Mchunu said.
He said the department is providing counselling to affected educators and learners. Discussions are also underway to ensure that police provide security in and around the school premises.
