Seven arrested following fatal shootings at two KZN schools

On Friday 23 October 2020, there were shootings at two schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Sadly, a compliance officer was shot and killed inside school premises and a principal was shot and killed at an entirely different school. Between the two incidents, seven suspects have been arrested. 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED INSIDE KZN SCHOOL 

On Friday morning a 26-year-old woman who is a compliance officer was shot and killed inside school premises at Vumbu Reserve in Maphumulo. According to South African Police Services (SAPS) Brigadier Jay Naicker, the suspects fled the scene and police were alerted. 

“Police chased the suspects together with the assistance of the community,” he said. 

“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,” he added.  

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 is due to appear at the Maphumulo Magistrate’s Court soon.

PRINCIPAL SHOT DEAD IN SEPARATE INCIDENT 

In a separate incident, a 46-year-old principal was shot and killed at a school in Msinga at 12:00 on Friday. 

According to Naicker, the suspects fled with their getaway vehicle, which was found on fire a few kilometres from the scene. 

“The men then allegedly hijacked a teacher who was on her way home and fled in her vehicle. Police intercepted the vehicle at KwaDolo Reserve in Greytown and six men were arrested,” said Naicker. 

Police seized a R5 rifle, two revolvers and 65 rounds of ammunition as well as eight cellphones and the hijacked vehicle.

Six men aged between 26 and 38 will be charged for murder and carjacking as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. They will appear at the Greytown Magistrate’s Court in KZN on Monday 26 October 2020. 

“The firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests to determine whether they were used in other criminal cases,” he added. 

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula congratulated police officers for their rapid response in both incidents as well as the community who assisted police 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 [the] law,” he said.