Sne Masuku

The families of the two KwaZulu-Natal teachers who disappeared last week fear the worst after the vehicle in which they were travelling was found burnt-out and empty.

Police launched a manhunt for the teachers after discovering the burnt car on Friday.

Bonisiwe Mthenjane, 34, from Nongoma, and Philile Ntuli, 34, from Nseleni, were teachers at Hlokohloko Primary School, in Mboza Ubombo district.

They went missing on Wednesday. The police suspect that they were abducted.

The two were last seen travelling in Mthenjane's car to the offices of the National Teachers' Union, in Empangeni.

"Mthenjane's car supposedly broke down on the way. The two then went to the nearby Mtubatuba Delta garage, where they were given a courtesy car," said police spokesman Jabulani Mdletshe.

"It is the courtesy car that was found in Mduku reserve, near Hluhluwe, two days later.

"When the car was discovered it was still burning and there was no one inside it."

Ntuli's mother, Khonelaphi Ntuli, yesterday said she heard about her daughter's disappearance on Friday.

"She is the bread winner. Her kids are asking about her whereabouts because she told them she would be back home on Friday," said Khonelaphi.

Mdletshe said the Ubombo police were investigating a case of kidnapping.

The police yesterday said that, according to the school at which the missing teachers are employed, Mthenjane was to take Ntuli to the offices of the National Teachers' Union, in Empangeni, and then go on to attend an interview at the Maphaya Primary School in Obonjeni.