Siphelele Nketo 

A TEACHER from the Eastern Cape’s Alfred Nzo district had a narrow escape on April 14 after a harrowing incident occurred on her way to Mlungiseleli High School in EmaXesibeni, Mount Ayliff.

The teacher, who has over 10 years of experience, started her day as usual, unaware of the uncertainty that lay ahead.

On her drive to work from the rural village of Mbasane, she encountered a male hitchhiker begging for a ride along the gravel road at around 7 am.

The hitchhiker pointed in the direction they were headed.

The teacher offered the hitchhiker a lift which he accepted, but as they drove through KwaGogela, the hitchhiker unexpectedly demanded that she swap seats.

The teacher was shocked by the request and even more so when the hitchhiker produced a firearm, ordering her to stop the vehicle and change seats.

After the teacher complied, the hitchhiker took control of the vehicle, driving recklessly.

The teacher continued to plead with the hitchhiker not to harm her.

Along the road, the hitchhiker stopped the vehicle and pushed the teacher out of the car.

According to reports, the teacher was assisted by another motorist who was passing by. 

“In my years of teaching, I never experienced such a traumatic situation. I was doing ‘ubuntu’, not knowing I was helping someone with brutal intentions,” said the teacher who is still nursing wounds on her arm and foot.

She said the injuries were a result of being pushed out of the vehicle, saying that the perpetrator also struck her with a firearm on the forehead.

After a widespread chase on the same day, the vehicle was found abandoned. The suspect was later arrested and appeared in the EmaXesibeni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, April 29.

Inside and outside the courtroom, concerned villagers of EmaXesibeni gathered to highlight serious fears about safety in schools. They waved placards raising their plight about the protection of teachers.

One of the residents was Nozi Matshongo who also works as the deputy chairperson of the Eastern Cape Democratic Alliance Women’s Network.

Mantshongo said teachers that work in rural areas deserve to feel protected in communities. 

“If teachers continue to feel unsafe, they will leave rural areas and children will be left unattended. Communities need to play their role to protect teachers and schools,” she said. Matshongo added that a petition to oppose bail was signed by concerned community members.

The suspect will return to court on May 7 for a bail application.