Three deaf pupils have been arrested in connection with the murder of the deputy principal of Efata School for the Deaf and Blind.
Nondumo Mdleleni-Mzimane was found dead in her room, situated next to the hostel on school grounds in Mthatha, in July this year.
The 50-year-old mother of three was found lying face down in a pool of blood, with the knife still lodged in her back.
Education MEC Mandla Makupula commissioned an investigation into how the deputy principal was murdered inside school premises.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Dineo Koena at the time confirmed a special task team had been established and was following leads.
Yesterday, the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court was packed when three deaf pupils appeared for her murder. The authorities still have to verify their ages and residential addresses.
Court proceedings were delayed yesterday as there was a need for a sign language interpreter.
State prosecutor Tembisa Ntloko said the accused were all pupils at Efata School for the Deaf and Blind.
Ntloko, who alleged the murder was pre-planned, said the deputy principal was stabbed several times with a knife.
One of the accused broke down when the interpreter told them how Mzimane was killed and how serious the charge against them was. The accused have applied for Legal Aid.
The matter was yesterday postponed to November 18 for profiling of the accused and verification of residential addresses and ages. The accused will remain in custody until then.
Ntloko said the state intended opposing bail.
“But we will see if there will be a need not to oppose it to some of the accused.”
Yandisa Mzimane, husband of the deceased deputy principal, and his brother Bandile travelled from East London to attend the court hearing yesterday.
“We are happy that there has been some progress in the murder. We hope that some of the many questions we had will be answered,” said Bandile.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the arrests were made on Friday.
The school management declined to comment on the arrest of the pupils, but referred the Daily Dispatch to the district and the provincial education department.
The district could not be reached for comment while the provincial office did not comment at the time of writing.
Three held for teacher’s murder
Nondumo Mdleleni-Mzimane was found dead in her room, situated next to the hostel on school grounds in Mthatha, in July this year.
The 50-year-old mother of three was found lying face down in a pool of blood, with the knife still lodged in her back.
Education MEC Mandla Makupula commissioned an investigation into how the deputy principal was murdered inside school premises.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Dineo Koena at the time confirmed a special task team had been established and was following leads.
Yesterday, the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court was packed when three deaf pupils appeared for her murder. The authorities still have to verify their ages and residential addresses.
Court proceedings were delayed yesterday as there was a need for a sign language interpreter.
State prosecutor Tembisa Ntloko said the accused were all pupils at Efata School for the Deaf and Blind.
Ntloko, who alleged the murder was pre-planned, said the deputy principal was stabbed several times with a knife.
One of the accused broke down when the interpreter told them how Mzimane was killed and how serious the charge against them was. The accused have applied for Legal Aid.
The matter was yesterday postponed to November 18 for profiling of the accused and verification of residential addresses and ages. The accused will remain in custody until then.
Ntloko said the state intended opposing bail.
“But we will see if there will be a need not to oppose it to some of the accused.”
Yandisa Mzimane, husband of the deceased deputy principal, and his brother Bandile travelled from East London to attend the court hearing yesterday.
“We are happy that there has been some progress in the murder. We hope that some of the many questions we had will be answered,” said Bandile.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the arrests were made on Friday.
The school management declined to comment on the arrest of the pupils, but referred the Daily Dispatch to the district and the provincial education department.
The district could not be reached for comment while the provincial office did not comment at the time of writing.
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