STAFF and pupils at a Limpopo school are still reeling from shock after a teacher was stoned to death by an angry mob, which suspected him of kidnapping an 8-year-old girl.

The incident took place on Tuesday at about 6pm in Nobody GaMothiba, outside Mankweng in Polokwane.

Mankweng police spokesman Constable Moses Molepo said the teacher, James Mokoma, 26, was attacked while on his way from school.

According to the police, the teacher had found the girl playing with others on the street and allegedly taken her by the hand, walking towards the main road.

He said the incident was allegedly witnessed by the girl's mother, who shouted for help since she thought the teacher was kidnapping the girl.

"Members of the community allegedly chased the teacher and assaulted him with an assortment of weapons, while others stoned him to death," Molepo said.

Police had arrested one suspect in connection with the incident and said more arrests were expected.

The deceased's father Victor Mokoma said he learnt about his son's death while he was driving through Nobody from Polokwane.

"I saw a group of people at the side of the road and when I went there they told me that they had killed a Zimbabwean man who they suspected was attempting to kidnap or rape a child.

"But when I advanced to the scene, I realised that the Zimbabwean they were referring to was my son.

"This is not on. My son was just an innocent man working in this community as a teacher, trying to prepare a better future for our children," Mokoma said.

"I want everyone who had a hand in his murder to be locked up behind bars and explain why they mistook my son for a Zimbabwean," he said angrily.

Mothiba Primary School deputy principal Mathipa Manthata described Mokoma as a very quiet teacher who "would not even hurt a fly".

"He was a committed community worker, a hard-working teacher and a man of integrity who posed as a father to our children, a brother to teachers and a sportsman, as he was responsible for our school sport."