Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Hlokohloko Primary School principal Anton Mathenjwa, accused of plotting the murder of two female teachers last month, will spend the Easter holidays behind bars.

Mathenjwa's two alleged hitmen will also spend the holidays in prison after the Empangeni magistrates' court postponed their bail application to allow them to get legal representation.

Mathenjwa is a former treasurer of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union in the area and was fired from the union for corruption in 2001.

The 45-year-old principal was arrested together with the alleged hitmen and the chairman of his school governing body after the police found them in possession of the dead teachers' bank cards and other documents.

But the chairman was later released because police said there was insufficient evidence linking him to the crimes.

The alleged hitmen, Bhekani Gumede, 31, and Thulani Qwabe, 36, confessed to the killings of Bonisiwe Mthenjane and Philile Ntuli.

According to the police, one of the men had pointed out where they dumped the bodies of Mthenjane and Ntuli. The bodies were found in a decomposed state after a week. Both teachers were buried at the weekend.

Community members and families of the deceased, who packed the Empangeni magistrates' court yesterday, said they were praying that Mathenjwa and his accomplices be denied bail.

Police investigations show that the two teachers were conducting an investigation into corruption allegations against Mathenjwa before they were murdered. The investigation was in its final stages.

Mathenjwa allegedly saw that his cover was about to be blown when he allegedly hired the hitmen to get rid of the teachers. The bail application has been postponed to April 11.