A SCHOOL principal has been shot dead in what is believed to have been a botched hijacking in Mandalay.
Zandre Duvenhage, principal of the Academy Private School in Kuils River, was accosted minutes after he dropped off a pupil who had taken ill at school.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said they were investigating a murder case. No one has been arrested yet.
She said police had found the body of Duvenhage with a gunshot wound. Circumstances surrounding the shooting were being investigated.
Jessica Shelver, spokesperson for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said the Western Cape Education Department’s Safe Schools division established that Duvenhage had died when he was shot, “apparently during an attempted hijacking”.
“According to our information, the incident happened when the teacher was taking home a learner who was ill,” said Shelver.
“This senseless murder is deeply tragic. Our thoughts are with the teacher’s family, friends, colleagues and learners at this difficult time.”
Paddy Attwell, the department’s director of communications, said: “We understand that the incident has traumatised the learner.”
He said the Safe Schools division would contact the school today to offer counselling support, including trauma counselling for the affected pupil.
Rwexana asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 0800 10111, or send an anonymous SMS to 32211.