The learner who died in hospital after a gunman shot dead Nquthu Council Speaker, Vusi Ntombela. at Luvisi Primary School this morning has been named.

She was 12-year-old Elisabeth Nhleko. She was shot in the chest during the shooting in which Mr Ntombela, who was teaching the Grade 6 class, was shot three times.

Another pupil, Bongumusa Cele (12) is seriously injured and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

It is reported that pandemonium broke-out as traumatised children scurried for cover as the gunmen sprayed the bullets randomly  at Mr Ntombela.

She was shot in the chest during the shooting in which Mr Ntombela, who was teaching the Grade 6 class, was shot three times.

“This must indeed be petrifying for any parent who sends their innocent children to school in the hope that they will become better people in the future, only to be killed in the environment where they should be acquiring knowledge instead of their lives being put at risk” said MEC –Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

“We all feel the terrible pain that has been inflicted on the families and the entire community of Nquthu.  This unpardoned crime deserves the highest course of justice.  This clearly shows that criminals have no scant regard for human life.”

“A reasonable person should have foreseen that discharging a firearm in a class setting, could result to innocent children losing lives, but now that life to these criminals has become so cheap, they did not think of that at all. I am very saddened and I send my heartfelt condolences to the family and the school community. I am praying that those who have done this horrible conduct get punished severely.”

A top government delegation including Members of Parliament is currently visiting the Nquthu area.