A language expert and passionate teacher is how the community will remember Mlamli Matshingana, deputy principal of Khayamandi Primary School who was fatally wounded at the school on Friday 21 November.
The provincial education department said learners had already been dismissed when the 54-year-old decided to sit under a tree, where he was approached by an armed man who had entered the school premises and shot him.
“The department is deeply shocked and saddened by the fatal shooting of a deputy principal in what appears to have been a targeted attack on Friday afternoon,” Bronagh Hammond, a spokesperson for the department, said.
The incident apparently occurred around 13:10 in view of some learners and staff members.
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Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed police are investigating the murder.
“Police attended to the crime scene where they found the victim with a gunshot wound to his body,” he said.
“The victim was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation.”
Hammond said the shooting is believed to be a targeted attack.
On Wednesday 26 November, Captain Nathalie Martin, spokesperson for Stellenbosch police, said no arrests have been made.
Eikestadnuus recently spoke to a local involved in crime prevention, who confirmed the local township is seen as a red zone and hotspot area for serious contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder and assault.
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Hammond added that counselling and trauma support teams have been dispatched to the school to assist staff and learners, who are understandably devastated by the senseless act of violence.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the entire school community during this difficult time. This is a tragic and deeply disturbing incident, and we urge law enforcement to ensure the perpetrator is swiftly brought to justice,” she said.
Matshingana was previousy a language education specialist for the Department of Basic Education. With his love of isiXhosa, he had also been a poetry judge for the Franschhoek Literary Festival’s poetry competition for learners.
Members of the public with information about the shooting to contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS anonymously.
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