E Cape teacher shot in scuffle over Grade 12 pupil

A high school principal from a school near Butterworth allegedly shot and wounded a colleague in a fight over a Grade 12 girl.

A source at the Ezizweni High School in Emgcwe, Nqamakwe, said principal Bulelani Gcasamba, 45, had entered the home of teacher Mzoxolo Mneli, 39, in Idutywa and accused him of hiding a Grade 12 pupil.

A fight then erupted between the two.

The incident occurred at 9pm.

A teacher, who declined to be named for fear of victimisation, told the Dispatch yesterday that Gcasamba had visited the school on Friday night to see that all Grade 12 pupils were present for their after-school studies.

When he noticed one pupil missing, he got into his car and sped to Mneli’s residence.

“Grade 12 pupils are preparing for their final exams so on Fridays after school they have to be in class from 5.30pm to 9pm to study.

“The school principal went to Mneli’s house and accused him of keeping one of the pupils from school. He demanded to look around the premises for the girl but he did not find her,” the teacher said.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mneli said he had warned Gcasamba to stop disrespecting him outside the school premises.

Gcasamba yesterday declined to comment and referred all questions to the provincial department of education.

Education spokesman Mali Mtima said the department was looking into the matter.

Police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said the firearm had been brought to the Idutywa police station on Sunday for safekeeping.

“The matter will be investigated by the police once the victim has been discharged from hospital and opens a case,” Manatha said.