Thembisa mourns slain Inxiweni Primary principal and administrator

The Thembisa community came together to bid farewell to Nozibele Ruth Tabu (58), principal of Inxiweni Primary School, and school administrator Nobantu Njomboni (55), who were tragically killed on November 18, when two masked men fatally shot them at the school.

A memorial service for Tabu was held at Oasis Life Family Church in Daveyton, with large numbers of mourners paying their respects.

She was laid to rest at Daveyton Cemetery. Meanwhile, Njomboni’s family held a separate memorial at Tembisa Family Christian Church, with plans to lay her remains to rest in the Eastern Cape.

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The double murder has left a deep scar on the Thembisa community, particularly in the Inxiweni section, where Tabu was widely admired for her dedication to her work.

During the memorial, Hazel Tabu, the principal’s daughter, emotionally reflected on her loss.

“I have lost a friend and a helper. I will miss you and thank you for raising us with discipline. I will always remember your words that made me feel fulfilled. Thank you for doing the impossible, Mama.”

Other family members also spoke, including her son, Vuyo Tabu, who struggled to process the tragedy, and her sister, Fezeka, who praised Tabu as a disciplined person who valued order.

MEC of Education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, who attended the service, said Tabu’s legacy should be celebrated.

“The principal was a hard worker. As a department, we never had any issues with Inxiweni Primary School, which was excelling academically.

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“We offer our condolences to the family. The police have been working diligently on this matter and swiftly arrested suspects in a short period.”

The memorial services were attended by SADTU members and community members, reflecting the respect and affection both Tabu and Njomboni had earned.

The Inxiweni Primary School Choir also performed hymns to honour their memories, highlighting the loss felt by the school, which has lost two leaders who acted as mentors and mother figures to its learners.

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the double murder. Two of them, Mokgadi Hope Shongwe and Benjamin Maditsi, are undergoing bail application hearings at Tembisa Magistrate’s Court.

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The case, which began on November 24, was postponed from its previous hearings and is now scheduled to continue on December 15.

Prosecutors confirmed that Shongwe’s address was initially challenging to verify, which contributed to delays in the bail process.

This marks Shongwe’s third appearance and Maditsi’s second. The other suspects arrested shortly after them are still to appear before the court.