A leader. Doctorate in education. Passionate about teaching. Shot dead as he arrived at the gates.
That's how school principal Dr Jeffrey Sigudla was remembered, hours after being gunned down at 7am on Thursday in front of pupils arriving at Ekuthuleni Primary School in Kraaifontein, Cape Town.
Three assailants walked up to the 54-year-old's vehicle and fired several rounds into it as he drove into the school he heads. He died on the scene while his wife, also in the vehicle, was injured and transported to hospital.
Ward councillor Siyabonga Duka said Sigudla was one of his best friends, whom he often had asked for guidance.
“I received the call from the school governing body about the principal being shot while driving towards the school gate. When I arrived on the scene he was still in the vehicle. There were many members of the community there,” said Duka.
“The news shocked many people, it was a painful moment. He was a loving man and supported the community — his wife is doing better, but we decided to visit her only on Friday to give her some relief from the stress.”
He said the community would help the school with preparations for a memorial service.
Police detectives were combing the scene for evidence after the killing as the couple arrived at the school in a white Mahindra.
“Three unidentified males approached the victims’ vehicle and opened fire. They fled the scene in an unknown vehicle,” said police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk.
“He was passionate about education, a visionary leader and a lifelong learner,” said SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) provincial secretary Sibongile Kwazi.
“The fact that he continued to work at a school with the qualification he had shows he was more interested in giving these children knowledge than going to management level at the district or provincial office.
“He was a dedicated principal who wanted to have a good school.”
Police oversight and community safety MEC Anroux Marais said the case was receiving high priority by provincial serious and violent crimes detectives.
Education MEC David Maynier said the incident was a “tragedy for the school and community ... we offer our deepest condolences to the principal’s loved ones.
“Our district team is on the ground at the school to offer support to the staff and learners.”
Kraaifontein CPF chairperson Arifa Osman said pupils were sent home and that some were traumatised.
Pupils and staff are to receive counselling on Friday.
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