A PETITION against three education officials and former principal being granted bail was signed by the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union Durban South branch. The teachers claimed they would go on strike if the four men were to be released on bail.
The petition was handed over to the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court on Friday during the bail application of Ugu district director Mfundi Sibiya (55), Gobhela Primary principal Lindani Mkhize (40), Bonguzwane High principal and Umzumbe councillor Mhlengi Luthuli (39) and former school principal Xolani Myeza (38).
All four are charged with conspiring to kill Nyonemhlophe High principal, Nkosinathi Zondi, who was also the regional chairman of Sadtu on the Lower South Coast at the time of his death. Andile Zulu and Lungisane Makhoba were hired to commit the murder.
Zondi was shot by two men at his uMlazi home last year in May, and Ndolile Shezi, Zulu, Makhoba and Sandile Mzizi were arrested and charged with murder. Charges against Shezi and Mzizi were dropped last year and Zulu and Makhoba were denied bail. Mzizi, who was a school governing body chairman at Khathi High in Mtwalume, has since turned state witness.
On Friday, investigating officer Xolani Mlungwana said Mzizi was willing to enter the witness protection programme.
Magistrate Sam Harilall adjourned the matter until April 22 for a bail decision, he reasoned that by this time Mzizi would already have been placed in the witness protection programme. The magistrate also called for the state to verify alternative addresses by the accused should they be granted bail.
Officer Mlungwana told the court on Friday that he was handed a petition, signed by members of the community and Sadtu members, which indicated that there were potential witnesses willing to come forward, but who were afraid of putting their lives in danger.
