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One of accused in Duduza deputy principal’s murder a distant relative

Vela Nyembe, slain deputy principal Hubert Nyembe's aunt, holds his picture as they carry him to his final resting place on Saturday in KwaThema, Ekurhuleni. Photos: KABELO MOKOENA
Vela Nyembe, slain deputy principal Hubert Nyembe's aunt, holds his picture as they carry him to his final resting place on Saturday in KwaThema, Ekurhuleni. Photos: KABELO MOKOENA

One of the three men accused of killing Ekurhuleni deputy school principal Mswati Nyembe‚ 56‚ is a distant relative of the victim.

This according to a family member who wished to remain anonymous‚ who said the accused‚ Doctor Gabriel Moagi‚ was a maternal relative of Nyembe from Tsakane in Duduza and knew him well.

Moagi‚ Sphenathi Diko and Bongani Smangaliso Nkosi‚ the latter two both from KwaThema‚ appeared in the Nigel Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for the murder of Nyembe.

Family and friends‚ clad in white T-shirts emblazoned with Nyembe’s picture‚ gathered outside court and called for the trio be denied bail.

Slain deputy family happy with arrests

They are expected to formally apply for bail next week.

Nyembe was killed three weeks ago in his office at Edalinceba Primary School in Duduza after three assailants gained entry under the pretext of being electricians.

Gauteng police spokesman Captain Kay Makhubele said police were still looking for a fourth man‚ believed to be the driver of a red Mazda 323 which was used in the commission of the murder.

Slain deputy principal was due to retire in three days

Meanwhile‚ South African Democratic Teachers Union Duduza branch secretary‚ Phakiso Thai‚ has accused the provincial department of education of failing to provide counselling to traumatised pupils who witnessed the incident.

“We expected the department to prioritise the well-being of the learners. We thought after the schools re-opened‚ the counselling process would resume but nothing has been done‚” he said.

Department of education spokesman Steve Mabona dismissed the claim‚ saying “a team was dispatched to the school to offer counselling to all affected learners.”

How hitmen ambushed deputy principal

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