Canaan Mdletshe and Sne Masuku

Canaan Mdletshe and Sne Masuku

KwaZulu-Natal department of education is still shocked after the killing of another teacher in the province.

Mkhululi Ndlovu, a mathematics teacher at Impunga High School in Jolivet near Highflats, was shot dead on Tuesday night.

The death takes to 18 the number of teachers killed in the province in the past five years.

Ndlovu's death comes barely a week after the body of Winile Ntshangase of Ingwemnyama Primary School, Nongoma, was found at her home.

She was apparently killed elsewhere before her body was dumped at her house.

Police spokesperson Captain Vincent Pandarum said Ndlovu was alone in his rented room when "unknown men" knocked at his door and claimed they were policemen from Port Shepstone.

"When he opened the door they told him to accompany them," Pandarum said. "Shortly afterwards, neighbours heard gunshots."

Ndlovu was shot once in the chest and twice in the back.

Provincial education spokesperson Mbali Thusi said the department was deeply saddened by the killing.

"The department has learnt with shock and sadness about the killing of educator Ndlovu.

"His death is not only a loss to the family, relatives and close friends but it is a great loss for us as a department and country."

Meanwhile, police spokesperson Vusi Mbatha confirmed that they have made arrests in the case involving Ntshangase.

"She was killed by a single shot to her forehead," Mbatha said. "Her whole body was bruised as if she had been severely assaulted."

He said the suspects, Johnson Njoko and his girlfriend Zinhle Buthelezi, appeared in court this week on charges of murder and kidnapping and would appear again on Monday.

National Teachers Union Kwa-Nongoma chairperson Xolani Mthethwa has appealed to the government to step up security in an area "that has now become a playground for criminals".

"Teachers must be protected." he said.