The police in KwaZulu Natal have arrested two suspects who were positively linked to the murder of a grade R teacher at the Phikiswayo Primary School. Educator Dudu Khumalo (46) was killed in cold blood at Richmond Farm in Ntuzuma during a prayer session on the morning of 29 July this year.

SHE WAS A WITNESS 

According to an educator who spoke to ZiMoja at the time, a white car pulled up at the school gate, and two unknown men jumped off and went inside the school where teachers and learners were attending a prayer session and shot Khumalo multiple times. They then walked back to their car and sped off. KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the police established that Khumalo could have been assassinated because she was a witness on a matter concerning an inmate at the Westville Prison. "The police have so far managed to connect the inmate as the mastermind for the murder and two other people, the shooter and the one who played the role of a spotter. The two suspects were arrested on Thursday. Investigations continued, and on Friday, a firearm believed to have been used to kill the teacher was found at the residential premises of the suspected shooter," Netshiunda said. He added that the jacket that the suspected shooter was wearing during the commission of the crime was also found. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the firearm was robbed by its licensed owner during a robbery at Sherwood in Sydenham in April 2023.

ARREST WELCOMED 

KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has welcomed the arrest. He commended the South African Police Service for bringing the culprits to book. "Although the passing of Ms. Khumalo left us devastated, we are grateful that the long arm of the law will bring justice, peace, and closure to us, the grieving families, staff, colleagues, and our learners," said Hlomuka. The suspects, aged 36 and 41 years old, will appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrates Court tomorrow on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Nethiunda said the alleged mastermind, who is already behind bars, will also be charged accordingly and will appear before court in due course.