Mokgadi Hope Shongwe Arrested for Killing Inxiweni Primary Principal Nozibele Tabu and Assistant Over Missing R52,000

A 26-year-old woman, identified by community sources as Mokgadi Hope Shongwe, has been arrested in connection with the shocking double murder at Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa. She is expected to appear in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on 21 November 2025.

Police spokesperson Col. Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrest, stating that officers took the suspect into custody on Wednesday. “I can confirm that a 26-year-old woman has been arrested and is expected to appear before the Tembisa court tomorrow,” Nevhuhulwi said.

The woman is allegedly linked to the brutal killing of school principal Nozibele Tabu, 58, and administrative assistant Nobantu Njomboni, 55. The two women were gunned down inside the school’s administration block on Tuesday afternoon, sending shockwaves across the Tembisa community and the education sector.

According to preliminary police reports, the victims were preparing for an upcoming meeting when an armed assailant entered the admin office and opened fire. Officers responded shortly after 16:15 on 18 November 2025, after receiving reports of a shooting.

“Upon arrival, police found two female bodies lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. Both victims were certified dead at the scene,” Nevhuhulwi said.

The motive behind the attack has not yet been confirmed, but investigators are exploring multiple angles.

Sources close to the investigation say the 26-year-old suspect was allegedly found in possession of a large sum of cash, and that a paper trail of financial transactions involving R52,000 appeared to link her personal bank account to funds missing from the school’s finances. The alleged financial discrepancies are now a major focus of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not yet clarified whether Shongwe orchestrated the shooting, hired the gunman, or acted with accomplices. Detectives are expected to present their initial findings during her first court appearance.

The deaths of Nozibele Tabu and Nobantu Njomboni have sparked public outrage and raised concerns about corruption, financial mismanagement, and internal conflicts within school administration structures.

As investigations continue, parents and staff at Inxiweni Primary are demanding justice — and answers — for the two respected educators who were killed in what is rapidly developing into a case involving money, betrayal, and premeditated violence.

DOUBLE MURDER AT INXIWENI PRIMARY SCHOOL IN TEMBISA

Two staff members of Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa — Principal Ruth Nozibele Tabu (58) and Administrative Assistant Nobantu Njombini (55) — were shot and killed inside the school’s administration block on Tuesday, 18… pic.twitter.com/oZVsV4qFKq

— CrimeInSA (@sa_crime) November 19, 2025