MEDIA STATEMENT BY: 
MR ALFRED MPONTSHANE MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON EDUCATION

29 January 2008

The Inkatha Freedom Party would like to express its sympathy with the families of the two teachers who were killed in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday. 

Londi Mngomelulu and Phumelele Shandu, who were devoted teachers from the Umkhanyakude District, died when a truck and a Polo Classic collided at an on-ramp leading to the N2, at Mkhuze. 

The truck driver allegedly drove onto the highway without stopping and checking for other cars. Four people in the Polo, including the driver, and one person from the truck, died at the scene. 

South Africa is currently experiencing a severe skills shortage and one of the areas most affected by this crisis is the education system. We are in dire need of skilled, loyal and dedicated teachers, especially in rural areas. 

We are therefore angered that these two teachers had their lives cut short by an alleged drunk and reckless driver. There are too many fatal and devastating road accidents such as these on South African roads. 

The IFP would however like to congratulate the SAPS for the speedy arrest of the truck driver and we hope that he will face the full brunt of the law. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Alfred Mpontshane MP: 083 441 6201
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470