Pietermaritzburg – The National African Teachers Union (Natu) on Friday called for security for a newly appointed school principal, who less than a month into the new term is already receiving death threats. The principal’s predecessor, Nokuthula Magwanyana, was found dead in her car in August 2015.
Natu Pietermaritzburg chairman Mzwandile Nkabini told an Education Stakeholders meeting at Pietermaritzburg city hall that teachers’ lives were in danger at the school.
“We need the department to step up security at the school because it has hardly been a month since the new principal was appointed, but already death threats have been made against her,” said Nkabini.
The stakeholders meeting brought together Members of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature, government officials, teacher unions, learner representatives and school governing bodies and as well as municipal councillors. Nkabini warned against taking the matter slightly.
Magwanyana’s killers have never been caught.
Nkabini told ANA after addressing the meeting that the new principal had officially started on February 1. He said that prior to her appointment, part of the school was torched.
Education department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi was quoted in Isolezwe this week confirming that the department had received a report on the threats against the new principal.
“The matter has been referred to the police and we working with them to ensure that the matter is resolved speedily because the threats are similar to those made against Magwanyana,” Mahlambi was quoted as saying.
Villa Maria Primary school is located in the Maqongqo area, about 25 kilometres east of Pietermaritzburg.