Teacher shot in face protecting learners

A MATHS teacher was shot in the face on Friday while trying to protect matric pupils from armed robbers.

Muzinkosi Zulu, 40, a teacher at Sea Cow Lake Secondary, is recovering in hospital.

Three accused, two of whom are believed to be former pupils, fled, but were later arrested by members of the Phoenix Trio Crimes Unit in Whetstone, Phoenix. They were charged with attempted murder and robbery.

Pastor Khulekani Dlamini, the chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), said on Friday afternoon, a group of matric pupils were attending extra lessons while others were writing a supplementary exam.

“The three robbers entered the school and held the deputy principal at gunpoint. They robbed her of her handbag. One suspect remained with her, while the other two went to Mr Zulu’s class, where he was conducting extra classes."

Dlamini said the suspects attempted to rob Zulu and the pupils.

“Mr Zulu grabbed on to both men and tried to push them out of the classroom. One of the suspects shot him on the side of his face, near his mouth. The three of them then fled.”

He said a member from the SGB, who was at the school, called to tell him what had happened.

“The same SGB member then drove Mr Zulu to the hospital. When I got to the school moments later, the pupils were hysterical and scared. We managed to calm them down and told them to go home.

“We believe that two of the suspects are former pupils. It is disappointing that this is a life they chose to live.

“As a school, we are praying for Mr Zulu’s recovery. We must also commend our deputy principal, who returned to school on Monday despite the traumatic ordeal. Her strength is an encouragement to the other staff members and pupils.”

Dlamini said it seemed as if schools were an easy target for criminals.

“To safeguard the pupils, members from the SGB patrolled the school’s exit points this week. We are in the process of discussing long-term measures to improve security.”

Hoeshle Zulu, Zulu’s sister, said: “The injury to his mouth is bad. He cannot talk or eat. Our family is praying he pulls through.”

She said her brother was unmarried and loved to teach.

Muzi Mahlambi, the spokesperson for the Department of Education in KZN, said the department was worried about the state of schools.

“Robberies are happening every week. Criminals come to the school on the pretence of querying about things like admissions, reports and school fees. Once they are allowed in the school, they pounce on teachers and pupils. We want to stop these visits. We have plans to go online, so any queries parents have can be done on that platform.”

Mahalambi said they intended on implementing a system whereby only parents or guardians had access to schools if they have made appointments. “Before the appointment can be confirmed, the parents or guardians will be screened.”

He added: “The teacher who was shot used his time to help pupils by giving extra lessons. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Wayne Govender, the chairperson of the Sea Cow Lake Community Police Forum, said he received daily reports of homes being broken into.

“Residents from the formal and informal housing have been targeted. Some residents have been killed during these robberies, and now, the criminal element is spilling over into our schools.

“One of the reasons fuelling crime in the community is drugs. There are a number of whoonga addicts living among us. They break into homes to steal things like electronics, garden tools and taps. These items are sold to scrap dealers, and the money is used to feed their habits.”

Anil Beekram, the chairperson of the Kenville and Sea Cow Lake Ratepayers Association, said the crime and the lack of service delivery had driven many families out of the area.

“Some 30 years ago, Kenville and Sea Cow Lake were sought-after areas to buy homes and raise families.

“I am trying to sell my home, but I will be lucky if I get even half of the valued amount.

“We cannot walk on our roads because we are afraid we will be attacked. Apart from crime, we have an influx of informal settlements. The informal residents don’t have access to electricity, and some of them illegally connect to the formal residents’ power causing weekly outages. Residents are expected to live like this.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, a provincial police spokesperson, said a case of attempted murder and robbery was being investigated by police.