Cele murder suspects freed
8 February 2010, 17:09
By Noelene Barbeau
Three men who were taken in for questioning in connection with the murder of Department of Education official Ntombizonke Cele have been released because they could not be linked to the crime.
Police spokesman Vincent Mdunge said yesterday other leads were being followed.
Cele was slain at her Westville home last Sunday. Her funeral was held on Saturday at the Westville Baptist Church.
Cele, 59, was strangled during an apparent robbery at her home. Her body was found with her hands and knees tied, and a wire around her neck.
The Department of Education held a memorial service for Cele earlier in the week.
"Where there was a problem, she addressed it. She was very brave," Imtiaaz Saib, a University of KwaZulu-Natal employee who worked closely with Cele, said at the service.
Saib recalled her reaction when they were travelling together and saw children walking home from school at 10am.
"She asked me to drive her to the school these pupils attended where she had asked to see the principal," he said.
"He wasn't there at the time, and the school's secretary telephoned him asking him to come through to the school. When he arrived, Zonke reprimanded him and showed him the principal's pledge," he said.
"She was a very powerful lady and her position will be a very difficult space to fill."
Cassius Lubisi, superintendent general of education, remembered Cele's dedication to her work.
At various times, Cele had been a lecturer at the Umbumbulu College of Education, a principal at Jonase High School in iLembe, and a vice rector and acting rector at Applesbosch College of Education before becoming a chief education specialist at the Department of Education.
At the time of her death she was acting director of education management and governance development.
noelene.barbeau@inl.co.za
Three men who were taken in for questioning in connection with the murder of Department of Education official Ntombizonke Cele have been released because they could not be linked to the crime.
Police spokesman Vincent Mdunge said yesterday other leads were being followed.
Cele was slain at her Westville home last Sunday. Her funeral was held on Saturday at the Westville Baptist Church.
Cele, 59, was strangled during an apparent robbery at her home. Her body was found with her hands and knees tied, and a wire around her neck.
The Department of Education held a memorial service for Cele earlier in the week.
"Where there was a problem, she addressed it. She was very brave," Imtiaaz Saib, a University of KwaZulu-Natal employee who worked closely with Cele, said at the service.
Saib recalled her reaction when they were travelling together and saw children walking home from school at 10am.
"She asked me to drive her to the school these pupils attended where she had asked to see the principal," he said.
"He wasn't there at the time, and the school's secretary telephoned him asking him to come through to the school. When he arrived, Zonke reprimanded him and showed him the principal's pledge," he said.
"She was a very powerful lady and her position will be a very difficult space to fill."
Cassius Lubisi, superintendent general of education, remembered Cele's dedication to her work.
At various times, Cele had been a lecturer at the Umbumbulu College of Education, a principal at Jonase High School in iLembe, and a vice rector and acting rector at Applesbosch College of Education before becoming a chief education specialist at the Department of Education.
At the time of her death she was acting director of education management and governance development.
noelene.barbeau@inl.co.za
- This article was originally published on page 5 of The Daily News on February 08, 2010
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