Gauteng police have confirmed the arrest of a third suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a school principal and an administrative clerk at Enxiweni Primary School in Tembisa last month.
Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the 39-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday, 19 December 2025. The suspect is expected to appear before the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 22 December 2025, facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
“The arrest follows intensive investigations by detectives, and it forms part of ongoing efforts to bring all those involved to justice,” Masondo said. He added that police were still searching for two additional suspects who are believed to have carried out the shooting.
The arrests stem from an incident that occurred on 18 November 2025, when police responded to a complaint of a double murder at Enxiweni Primary School. According to SAPS, officers arrived at the school at about 16:15 and found the bodies of two women who had sustained gunshot wounds inside the school premises.
The victims were later identified as the school principal, Ruth Nozibele Tabu (58), and an administrative clerk, Nobantu Njombini (55). At the time, police said the circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear and that investigations were underway.
On 19 November 2025, police made their first breakthrough with the arrest of a 26-year-old woman in connection with the killings. The suspect, who was employed at the school, appeared before the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on 21 November 2025 on a charge of murder.
A second suspect, Tuki Benjamin Maditsi (35), was arrested shortly thereafter. Gauteng police previously confirmed that both suspects were linked to the case through ongoing investigative work.
Last month, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) publicly confirmed the identities of the two accused. Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the pair faced murder charges and that the State was not yet in a position to proceed with their bail application.
“We have mentioned in court that the investigating officer attempted to verify the address of Shongwe, but this could not be confirmed at the time. Profiling of both accused was also still outstanding,” Mjonondwane said.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the incident took place while the principal, an administrator and other staff members were at the school preparing for a meeting scheduled for later in the week.
Masondo said the latest arrest demonstrated progress in the investigation but emphasised that the case was still active. “We are following all leads and will continue working until all suspects linked to this matter are traced and arrested,” he said.
Police have not disclosed a possible motive for the killings, and investigations are continuing.
