Security guard killed during Mthayiza Primary School robbery
Post-mortem results revealed that Mgwenya died of six gunshot wounds fired at his heart and liver.
Only a few days after reports of school burglaries in the province dominated headlines, a security guard tasked with safeguarding school property was shot and killed by unknown suspects.
Amos Fana Mgwenya (57), stationed at Mthayiza Primary School in Bhuga just outside KaBokweni, was found dead with bullet wounds on Friday morning.
Read: Mpumalanga murder and robbery statistics at a 10-year high
He was buried on Wednesday) morning.
Mgwenya, a former member of the school governing body (SGB), was employed to protect building material for an ongoing ablutions project at Mthayiza Primary when he met his untimely death.
According to police spokesperson, Brig Leonard Hlathi, the suspect(s) allegedly gained entry to the school after cutting a hole in the fence and tampering with the surveillance cameras at the back of the classrooms before proceeding to shoot Mgwenya in the parking lot.
Also read: Criminals steal over R1 million in school property at Lekazi Primary
They then broke into the laboratory where they stole 25 laptops and two desktops which had been donated by the Click Foundation two years ago. More than 20 bullets were fired at his vehicle, which was still in the parking lot.
When visited Lowvelder Express and the MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, the victim’s family was still traumatised and at a loss for words.
“My father was killed in a very painful manner. He was murdered like a dog and I am deeply saddened about the whole thing,” said Bheki Mgwenya, his son.
“I hope the police will work around the clock to find the perpetrators and bring them to book. I pray that once they are arrested, they rot in jail.”
Majuba condemned the killing. “We are saddened by this incident. It is the first time that someone has been killed during a school robbery in the province. We hope the police will do their best in bringing the criminals to book. More people still need to be arrested for school break-ins in the province and the country as whole,” he said.
