Polokwane – A circuit manager in Limpopo was gunned down at his home in what was believed to be a house robbery, the Limpopo Department of Education revealed on Saturday.
Limpopo Education MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, said Lebopo circuit manager Dr. Malekutu Johannes Mehlape was gunned down on Thursday evening.
“According to the police report, Dr. Mehlape was fatally shot by two armed assailants in his house in Mankweng in what is believed to be a house robbery,” MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya said in a statement.
Dr. Mehlape led one of the best-performing circuits for 15 years in the Capricorn South District.
His death has been described as a great loss to the education sector by those who worked very closely with him.
Dr. Mehlape’s untimely demise has left a big void in the district looking at the role he played to ensure that there was a positive upward results trajectory across all grades.
He was vested with the responsibility to oversee 12 secondary and 18 primary schools.
Conveying condolences to the family, the circuit, and the Capricorn district, MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya said: “I am saddened by the passing of one of the brilliant minds in the education sector, our circuit manager, Dr. Mehlape.
“My sincere condolences to his children who were in the house when the criminals took his life.
“I was looking forward to seeing him and other hard-working colleagues when we award our top matric achievers in January.
“Our hopes for swift arrest and justice to the family is in the hands of the police.”
The funeral and memorial service details will be communicated in due course.
