By Johnathan Paoli
The Select Education, Sciences and Creative Industries Committee has condemned the recent killing of Ekuthuleni Primary principal Jeffrey Sigudla in Kraaifontein, Cape Town.
Committee Chair Makhi Feni described the tragedy as a traumatic experience for everyone who witnessed it, particularly young learners.
“Law enforcement should spare no effort in finding the culprits of this heinous act and the reasons they committed it. School principals are vulnerable to these kinds of hits and this is becoming normal,” Feni said.
Sigudla was shot dead in front of members of the school community on Thursday. The assailants are still at large.
Feni called on communities to jealously protect their schools and to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
“We ought to strengthen security, but that should not replace community vigilance on these challenges… people ought to remember that principals are appointed by the department and school governing bodies on account of their competence in school management,” he said on Sunday.
The 54-year-old principal and his wife stopped their car at the school’s entrance around 7am.
According to the police, three unidentified men approached the couple’s car and opened fire at them, leading to the principal’s death and the injury of his wife.
The chair sent the committee’s condolences to the Sigudla family, friends and the school during this difficult time.
INSIDE EDUCATION
