Tembisa School Murders: DJ and Finance Clerk Back in Court as More Arrests Expected
The investigation into the shocking double murder at Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa continues to widen, with prosecutors confirming that additional arrests may still follow. A local DJ and a young finance clerk briefly appeared at the Tembisa magistrate’s court on Monday, facing charges linked to the killing of the school principal and an administration assistant who were gunned down on the premises last week.
The two accused — Mokgadi Hope Shongwe, 25, and Tukie Benjamin “DJ Stukie” Maditsi, 35 — stood before the packed courtroom to face charges relating to the deaths of principal Nozibele Thapu, 58, and admin assistant Nobantu Njomboni, 55. Both victims were fatally shot at the primary school, an attack that has left the education community deeply unsettled and searching for answers.
Although the pair have now formally been charged, prosecutors emphasise that the investigation is far from complete. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said authorities are preparing for the possibility of additional suspects being brought into the case as the probe evolves.
Mjonondwane stated plainly: “we cannot rule out the possibility of more people being arrested”. Her remarks indicate that detectives are continuing to analyse information gathered during the initial arrests and in subsequent interviews, and are working to establish whether others may have played a role in the planning or execution of the murders.
Inside the courtroom, the brief appearance concluded with the magistrate postponing the matter to 1 December, when a date for the accused’s bail application is expected to be set. The delay also allows time for the verification of Shongwe’s residential address, after authorities revealed that the address she had provided could not be confirmed through standard checks. Establishing a verified address is a key part of the bail consideration process, as it helps determine the likelihood of an accused absconding.
While the criminal case moves ahead, the Gauteng Department of Education has launched its own internal process in relation to Shongwe, who is employed at the school. Department spokesperson Steve Mabona revealed that officials are assessing whether she should remain in her role or be temporarily removed as a precaution while the investigation unfolds.
Mabona said the department is taking the matter seriously and will consider all available information before reaching a decision about Shongwe’s continued presence at the school. The internal inquiry, he explained, will guide whether she stays in her position or is “precautionarily” removed to ensure a safe and stable environment for staff and pupils.
At the same time, Mabona expressed appreciation for the pace at which police have acted in tracking down and arresting the two suspects. He said the department views the early breakthroughs in the case as a positive sign of effective cooperation between education officials and law-enforcement authorities.
His comments reflected this: “It is quite encouraging that law enforcement agencies are taking this matter seriously and with urgency,” he said. He added that during the court proceedings, officials mentioned the possibility of two more suspects who have not yet been apprehended. “In court they talked about two more suspects yet to be arrested,” Mabona said, confirming that the investigation remains active.
The murders have understandably had a profound emotional impact on the school community. Both Thapu and Njomboni were long-serving staff members who played central roles in the daily running of Inxiweni Primary School. Their sudden and violent deaths have left colleagues and pupils dealing with distress, confusion and a deep sense of loss.
To help the school navigate the aftermath, the education department is deploying psychosocial support teams to provide counselling services and trauma intervention. These teams are expected to spend time with learners, teachers and support staff, offering professional guidance as they process the tragedy and attempt to regain a sense of normality.
As the criminal case gathers momentum, many questions remain unanswered. The motives behind the killings, the circumstances that led to the attack taking place at a school, and the potential involvement of additional individuals are issues that investigators are still working to unravel. The prospect of further arrests, highlighted by the NPA, suggests that the case may be more complex than initially understood.
For now, Shongwe and Maditsi await their next court appearance while detectives continue to piece together the events leading up to the fatal shooting. The December court date is expected to bring the first substantial developments in the bail process, while education officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
The community, meanwhile, looks to both law enforcement and education authorities for progress, clarity and reassurance as they deal with the aftermath of a crime that has struck at the heart of a school.
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