TEACHER’S MURDER: BUSINESSMAN HUSBAND ARRESTED

SITEKI – It took the police less than 24 hours to crack the case of the murdered teacher of Mpophotha High School.

Within that period, Siphofaneni police arrested the teacher’s husband, who is a well-known public transport operator, for the murder of Angel Zanele Shongwe (50). The teacher was killed execution style at around 9:50am on Monday while on her cellphone at her homestead. The incident happened at Maphilingo, Siphofaneni, where Zanele resided. The popular public transport operator, Sifiso Dlamini (44), has been charged with murder and is expected to appear in court today for a remand. Sifiso and Zanele were married in terms of Swazi Law and Custom. At the time of Zanele’s death, she and her husband were in separation as they had marital problems.

Restraining

She met her death at a time when the Siphofaneni Magistrates Court had issued an interim restraining order against Sifiso on October 19, 2021. The order was issued by Magistrate Vincent Nhlabatsi. Zanele was also running a public transport business. A source in the know informed this publication that Sifiso allegedly shot his wife in full view of their minor children. According to a police report released by Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni, the teacher was shot once in the head with a shotgun, while at her homestead at Maphilingo area under Siphofaneni Inkhundla on Monday at around 9:50am. Sifiso appeared at Simunye Magistrates Court, where he made a confession before a judicial officer. Yesterday, the family of the deceased and the school Head teacher, Jabu Dlamini, met the Deputy Regional Education Officer (REO), Thami Dlamini, to officially report the demise of the educator.

“The family is yet to make a decision if we can make an official comment regarding the death of my sister. We are still traumatised and shocked about what has befallen us as a family,” briefly said Sithembile Shongwe, her sister. It was established from sources that the person who shot Zanele entered through a fence and found her on her mobile phone at her homestead.
After the shooting, according to sources, the suspect, who was still unknown, fled the scene. The Deputy REO, Thami, mourned the death of the educator, indicating that the office would send a team of inspectors to pass their heartfelt condolences to the family when schools reopened.

Thami further sent condolences to the school, teaching staff, parents and pupils for the demise of Zanele. He pointed out that it was the second incident to happen in the region in a short space of time. “We also mourn with the Mpompotha community as teachers are a bedrock and assets to communities, considering the role they play in grooming future leaders. We are still shocked and may God comfort her family and friends at this sad moment,” he said. The court order states that the respondent (Sifiso) was interdicted and restrained from displaying any form of violent behaviour towards the applicant (Zanele).

Restrained

It also states that the respondent was interdicted and restrained from using any form of vulgar language, insulting the applicant. It further states that the respondent was interdicted and restrained from assaulting the applicant. “The respondent is interdicted and restrained from setting foot at the party’s homestead at Maphilingo, pending finalisation of this matter. The above orders are to operate with immediate and interim relief,” reads the court order. Worth mentioning is that this incident is the second to take place under the same constituency, involving the shooting of an educator. In October last year, Sayinile Sikhondze, a former Head teacher at Mabhensane Primary School, was shot dead by an unknown person while also outside her homestead, and also on the phone.

Sikhondze met her death amid a restraining court order against 25 members of Nceka and Mabhensane communities to desist from harassing, intimidating, verbally and physically abusing her. The restraining order was issued by Siteki Principal Magistrate Dumsani Magagula. In November last year, 19 of the 25 residents were acquitted on the basis that they obeyed the restraining order. The late head teacher’s husband, December Sikhondze, has since replaced her in this case.

Order

The six residents whose court order was made permanent were Sibandze, Thokozani Dlamini, Casper Mhlanga, Zodwa Dlamini, Mongi Khumalo and Doctor Dlamini. The acquitted 19 residents are; Pilosi Masina, Mcolisi Khumalo, Zakhele Sikhondze, Themba Mathabela and Bongani Tfwala. Others are Gungubele Tfwala, Bhekimpi Lukhele, Sipho Simelane, Mbhuluko Ndwandwe, Mfankhona Shongwe, Bhekane Mdluli and Sigodo Simelane. The rest are Phumlani Simelane, Phumzile Gwebu, Mandla Dlamini and Senzo Dlamini. The trio of Mbhekeni Simelane, Sifiso Mamba and Mphikeleli Mamba are Mabhensane community members. Worth mentioning is that this court order was issued against the backdrop of the mob attack by about 200 residents at the head teacher’s home, after they implicated her in stock theft. The residents from three chiefdoms, namely; Mphumakudze, Maphilingo and Nceka, were on board nine vehicles and a mini-truck. The school administrator, Sikhondze, was running a restaurant and a liquor shop. After the angry mob was dispersed by the police, they resorted to looting stock at the restaurant and liquor shop belonging to the deceased.

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