A man wanted in connection with the 2020 murder of KwaZulu-Natal school principal, Zwelabantu Zuma, has been shot dead by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention Unit (NIU) during an operation in Soweto.

Police confirmed on Sunday that the 40-year-old suspect, who was also linked to several other violent crimes, was tracked to a hostel in Mapetla, Soweto.

“When the suspect noticed the presence of police, he began shooting and the NIU returned fire, fatally wounding him,” SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.

The murder of Zwelabantu Zuma, a respected school principal in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, shocked the education community and the wider public in 2020. Zuma was gunned down in his office during school hours, sparking outrage and fears about the growing threats faced by educators.

At the time, police investigations pointed to a syndicate involved in violent crimes in the province. Zuma’s killing was believed to be linked to broader criminal networks operating in the Msinga area.

Since then, five suspects have been implicated in Zuma’s murder: two accused were tried and are currently serving life sentences, two other suspects died before they could stand trial, and one suspect remains on the run, with police still in pursuit.

The man killed in Soweto this week was one of the key remaining suspects in the case.
Beyond the school principal’s killing, the suspect was also wanted for other serious crimes in KwaZulu-Natal, including carjacking and illegal possession of firearms.

He had previously been arrested, but the case against him collapsed in court. According to police, new evidence was later presented by investigators, leading to the issuing of a J50 warrant of arrest.

Police described Sunday’s operation as part of a broader clampdown on dangerous fugitives who evade justice through intimidation, witness tampering, or gaps in the justice system.

The NIU, an elite police tactical unit deployed in high-risk situations, surrounded the hostel in Mapetla following intelligence that the suspect was hiding there.

“When officers moved in, the suspect immediately opened fire. Our members were left with no choice but to defend themselves,” Brigadier Mathe explained.

No officers were injured during the shootout. The suspect was declared dead at the scene, and his firearm was recovered for ballistic testing.

The killing of Principal Zuma five years ago highlighted the vulnerability of educators in rural KwaZulu-Natal, where schools have sometimes become targets of violent crime.

Teachers’ unions at the time called for stronger protection for educators, especially principals, who often face intimidation linked to corruption, procurement disputes, or local power struggles.

While the fatal shooting of the suspect brings closure to part of the Zuma murder case, police say the investigation continues. The hunt is still on for the final outstanding suspect connected to the killing.

“Police remain relentless in their pursuit of justice. Those who think they can hide from the law will ultimately be found,” Brigadier Mathe said.