Durban - It was an emotional day, filled with tears and trauma at the Villa Maria School in Bishopstowe near Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, when Education Department officials broke the news to pupils that their principal, 45-year-old Nokuthula Magwanyana, had been murdered.
Pupils cried and held each other on hearing the news.
The Education Department’s Sihle Mlotshwa confirmed that trauma counsellors would be sent to the school to help staff and pupils deal with the tragedy.
Pupils were sent home early as Education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni met staff to try to gain some insight into Magwanyana’s murder on Wednesday.
The principal was hacked to death and found in her car, with the seat belt still on.
“While I strive to see women appointed to higher positions in management, I am shocked that it exposes them to danger in this way,” she said.
Speculation is rife that the murder was an orchestrated attack on Magwanyana and police are investigating a series of incidents of intimidation against her after her appointment.
Magwanyana became principal after the retirement of Sipho Ntaka, who left in 2012.
Staff explained to Nkonyeni on Thursday that Magwanyana had opened a case of intimidation with Bishopstowe police after she received threats against her life that were spray-painted in red on the walls of the office block of the school last week, demanding she relinquish her post.
The threatening message, which has since been covered with a fresh coat of paint, said: “Nokuthula resign or...,” with a sketch of a gun next to it.
A teacher at the school who declined to be named, said Magwanyana had been an HOD at the school before becoming principal, and that there were rumours that certain “pockets” at the school were unhappy about her appointment.
“She was such a strong woman. Very friendly and a good leader. She only wanted what was best for the school and always had the interests of the staff and pupils at heart,” the teacher said.
Umkhambathini (Camperdown) municipality mayor, Thobekile Maphumulo, who knew Magwanyana, said she was shocked by the murder.
“It’s a difficult time for the school and for those who knew her. I’m proud to say Magwanyana played a vital role in improving the education in the school.
“She was such a loving person and an advocate for women’s rights,” she said.
Magwanyana’s husband, Sibongiseni, said the family was devastated.
The visibly traumatised man, who now has to care for the couple’s two children, said his wife was unsettled by the threats, but did not let them deter her from doing her job, which she was passionate about.
“I don’t know how we are going to manage,” he said.
A number of people employed at the school were questioned on Thursday but no arrests have been made.
Police spokesman, Constable Mthokozisi Ngobese, said police had not apprehended any suspects, but were working tirelessly to do so.
Magwanyana was allegedly ambushed and hacked to death by unknown assailants in Table Mountain Road.
She had left school and was travelling home at about 4pm when attacked.
It is believed that Magwanyana, who was driving a maroon Chevrolet sedan, was forced off the road by a group of men.
She suffered at least eight deep wounds to her neck, back and face.
Magwanyana’s funeral will be held at her home in Hammarsdale next week.
Daily News