The North West Department of Education along with the staff of Rutanang Primary School, bid farewell to Grade R teacher, Penolope Samkelisiwe Nxumalo at her home town Empangeni, KwaZulu.

The department of education on Sunday 05 June conducted a live stream session of the funeral. Penolope Samkelisiwe Nxumalo was shot by unknown men at the school gates in the morning of Tuesday 31 May 2022, while in her car at Rutanang Primary School in Geelhout Part near Rustenburg. At around 06:55 during the arrival of educators and learners, gun shots were heard, instantly killing the Grade R teacher whilst in the car before entering the school gates.

“This has been a very difficult week in our department. On Tuesday morning we lost our foundation phase educator in an extremely horrific way. Whilst we were still devastated by that incident we lost two Grade R learners from Bloemhof Primary School who died when their private combi lost control on top of the bridge as they were crossing the Bloemhof dam on Wednesday, 01 June 2022 in the morning.

“On behalf of the department I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families of our educator and the learners who perished whilst on their way to school, staff and all stakeholders. I am confident that the South African Police Services will find those behind the killing of our educator and brought to book. This would help give the bereaved family closure”, said MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela.