KwaNdengezi school shooting: Suspects abandon bail over learner’s murder

KwaNdengezi Intermediate School witnessed a grim incident last month when 19-year-old learner Siphelele Ngubane was fatally shot on school premises. Police are set to make another arrest in the case, with 26-year-old Menzi Vilakazi facing a murder charge. Vilakazi allegedly entered the school in uniform, posing as a student, before fatally shooting Ngubane. Two suspects have been arrested thus far, with Vilakazi and Nkosinathi Thabethe charged with murder and illegal firearm possession, respectively.

Thabethe, who is the uncle of the gun's owner, had initially abandoned his bail application but later appeared in court. Prosecutor Nkosi Dladla requested a postponement to complete outstanding investigations, including witness statements and post-mortem and ballistic examinations. Vilakazi was remanded in custody, with the case set to continue on November 3.

Community members rallied in support of Ngubane's family, carrying placards demanding justice. The victim's father, Sithembiso Ngcobo, expressed relief that the suspects had abandoned their bail. Ngcobo alleged that the firearm used in the murder was rented out for other killings and that the suspect had allegedly targeted another individual in Zwelibomvu. The family suspects the murder may be linked to a dispute involving a girl Ngubane was reportedly dating.

Ngcobo claimed a vehicle had been seen circling their home the day before the murder and that a friend of Ngubane had allegedly called him to attend school on the day of the incident. However, the friend did not attend school that day and was unreachable by phone. Ngcobo also mentioned that police were investigating one of his son's friends who reportedly called Ngubane pleading for him to be at school on the day of the murder, but the friend did not attend and did not answer his phone.