CAPE TOWN - Bloekombos High School’s principal has been placed in a safe house after allegedly receiving death threats and a car reportedly following her.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said Kraaifontein police were investigating a case of intimidation.
Police yesterday had to reopen the school gates after protesting residents demanded Ntombizandile Goniwe’s safety be guaranteed.
Goniwe reported the matter on Thursday at about 7.15pm after she allegedly received a WhatsApp message from an unknown person warning that she has two days to live.
“The suspects, however, added a name to the message but this could not be confirmed,” said Swartbooi.
School Governing Body (SGB) member Linda Phito said after Goniwe reported the death threat they thought she was safe until Saturday.
“We were about to exit the school premises when she noticed a white Hyundai that had followed her to school parked outside the school yard. She ran to hide in the classrooms and the person in the car pulled their hoodie to hide their face.
“After a while one of the teachers drove the principal's car because we were not sure if the stalker had left. The Hyundai appeared and followed the principal's car which was driven inside he premises of a neighbouring school. I rushed Mrs Gobiwe to the police station with my car,” said Phito.
He said Goniwe became principal about three years ago and her anti-corruption stance is believed to have created issues.
“Ever since Mrs Goniwe was appointed as the head of the school, she was not warmly welcomed by some teachers. The SGB is divided so she would not be informed about certain school tenders and applications but hear later on when decisions had been made.
“Recently posts were available at the school and she was fighting for people with needed qualifications to be accepted. I don’t know if she is being undermined and disrespected because she is a woman,” said Phito.
“A meeting was held with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) that informed us that they can’t divulge how they would ensure the safety of the principal but said she will be protected.
“We still want MEC Debbie Schaefer to visit the school. If she could go to Brackenfell High School during protests, she must also make time for this serious issue.”
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department was aware of the alleged threat made against the principal.
The district engaged with the SGB and representatives from community structures, Hammond said.
Steps taken include the deputy principal being appointed as acting principal as an interim measure.
“As this relates to an active disciplinary investigation, instituted by the department, not the MEC, we cannot comment further. We condemn any threats against our staff.”
SA Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary Jonavon Rustin said they would probe the incidents and called for security to be heightened at the school.
ANC education spokesperson Khalid Sayed called on the WCED to investigate all corruption allegations at the school and for the department to work with law enforcement agencies.
Last September, 46-year-old Zameka Mfubesi, the principal of Umyezo Wama Apile High School in Grabouw, was shot dead while driving on the N2 near the Overberg.
Alleged hitman Sizwe Bebula was arrested earlier this year.
Anyone with information can anonymously call crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Cape Times