Natu deputy president survives assassination attempt

Police in KwaZulu-Natal are investigating charges of attempted murder and armed robbery after National Teacher’s Union (Natu) deputy president Allen Thompson survived an attack by armed men at Umhlanga.

The union says the attack was an assassination attempt.

It’s believed the incident happened just before Thompson crossed a traffic light at the off-ramp from the N2 highway towards Umhlanga.

It’s claimed that he was shot at by armed men in another car.

After being injured on the shoulder Thompson sped off to a hospital but was pursued by his attackers, according to the union.

KZN SAPS spokesperson Nqobile Gwala says: “He abandoned the vehicle and ran to the hospital. The suspects then took a laptop and an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene in their getaway vehicle. Charges of armed robbery and attempted murder were opened at Durban north police station.”

Evidence of a bullet which hit the panel between the driver’s window and the back passenger window can be seen in Thompson’s car.

The union says the laptop that was taken contained documents of a forensic investigation into the department of education in the province.

Natu president Siphosethu Ngcobo says: “When something like this happens out of the blue one can’t help but be suspicious. This is one of the biggest cases we were currently dealing with. We believe the main reason might have been to silence him.”

The union says it will beef up security for all its executive members.

Thompson is recuperating in hospital.