Police hunt for suspects after school security guard is killed in Inanda

KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, right, visited Inanda Comprehensive High School in Durban on Monday after a security guard was shot dead at the school on Friday.

Police are searching for the suspects involved in the murder of a security guard at Inanda Comprehensive High School in Durban on Friday.

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, visited the school on Monday and called on the community to help police catch the killers. Hlomuka said five suspects came through the back gate and attempted to force open the strong room containing equipment used for technical subjects, but failed.

The men managed broke the window and removed burglar guards in the principal's office. The men then opened a steel cabinet and stole confiscated learners' cellphones and the petty cash.

When the guard intervened, he was overpowered and shot. Hlomuka said his department, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development, would provide trauma counseling. With just 22 days to the start of the National Senior Certificate examinations, he was concerned about the trauma the incident may have caused among the school community

“We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this senseless loss of life. Schools must remain safe spaces for teaching and learning, and it is unacceptable that criminals should target our schools and put the lives of learners, educators and support staff at risk. Our thoughts are with the family of the security officer during this extremely difficult time.

“The department will work with the school and relevant safety and security stakeholders to assess the situation and identify measures necessary to strengthen the safety and security of the school,” Hlomuka said.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Thenjiswa Ngcobo said Inanda SAPS were investigating a case of murder and robbery.

In a separate incident on Friday, three Grade 12 learners were shot at Bukimvelo High School in the Ezibayeni Circuit. It is reported that shortly after school closed for the day, an unknown gunman opened fire on a crowd of learners leaving the school premises after attending a Physical Sciences revision session.

Mthethwa Khetha, Hadebe Thandolwethu and Mahlaba Sbahle were wounded and taken to hospital. Preliminary information indicates that one learner sustained a serious injury to the arm, resulting in a fracture, while another sustained injuries to both legs.

Hlomuka said the shooter remains at large at this stage. He described the shooting as an appalling act of violence that has no place in or around schools.

"We are deeply disturbed by this senseless act of violence against our learners. It is unacceptable that our children should be subjected to gun violence right outside school premises. Our schools must be places of safety, learning and development, not places where learners fear for their lives,” he said.

The department's Specialised Needs Education Services (SNES) team provided psychological support to learners on Monday.