Durban - An uMlazi school principal was shot dead by unknown assailants soon after leaving school on Wednesdayafternoon.
According to a source close to the incident, Nhlanhla Mhlongo, 52, had left eMpumelelweni Combined Primary School, at eNgonyameni, uMlazi, in his car when he was hit by a hail of bullets.
A teacher from the school, who spoke to the Daily News's sister paper, Isolezwe, said Mhlongo died at the scene.
Shocked residents of the area rushed to the scene.
The teacher, who asked not to be named, said they had heard shots and rushed outside, where they found Mhlongo dead.
Empty cartridges littered the ground.
"Nobody knows the reason why he was killed," said the source.
According to the teacher, the killers had blocked the road with their vehicle before unleashing a hail of bullets in Mhlongo's direction.
The principal tried to return fire.
Mhlongo was said to have been travelling on a gravel road in the eNgonyameni area when he was attacked.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane, confirmed a case of murder had been opened at the Bhekithemba police station in uMlazi. No arrests had been made.
Zwane said the motive for the attack was not known.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education spokesman, Sicelo Khuzwayo, expressed shock at the killing.
He said the department had lost an invaluable member who was committed to nation-building.
"We urge the police to leave no stone unturned in their investigation and to nab the suspect," said Khuzwayo.
Daily News