They were two best friends - they stayed not far from each other in the same village and did everything together. This did not go down well with a former lover and they were both allegedly shot dead at the school premises by the jealous lover.

The two, Ndivhuwo Tshikororo (18) and Mbulungeni Makungo (19), were learners at Ralson Tshinanne Secondary School at Ngovhela village outside Thohoyandou. Although many people acknowledge that they were shot in cold blood by a jilted lover, both families deny that there was a love triangle.

The suspect, who is believed to be a security guard, allegedly went to his workplace and booked a firearm for his post. It is not clear how he left his post and ended up at the school. He allegedly complained about his former lover, with whom he had a child, for cheating on him. Sources close to the deceased claim that the suspect had blamed Mbulungeni for his strained relationship with the mother of his child.

He confronted the pair at the school gate last Friday and allegedly shot them. The young man, Mbulungeni, died instantly, while Ndivhuwo died of her wounds at the Tshilidzini Hospital. The suspect later handed himself over to the police.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and learners had to leave early as they had been traumatized. Some of them even fainted and had to be taken to the local clinic.

The principal of the school, Mr Thanyani Mathivha, said that the incident had left the school in a state of shock. "I arrived at the school only to find crowds gathered at the gate, and I shouted at them as to why they were not going to classes," he said. Mathivha said that it was only after he was told of what had happened and was shown the bodies, that he realized the situation. "It was a shocking scenario and it will take a long time to fade from our minds," he said.

Mathivha said that the security problem at the school was a matter of great concern, as the fence had been cut and people could just enter the school at any point. He said that they would treat security of their learners as a priority, and would abandon all other projects and address security as a matter of urgency.

Nancy Tshikororo, the older sister of Ndivhuho, said that her untimely death had robbed the family of a good person. "She was still young and we were still awaiting many good things from her. She had a bright future ahead of her," Nancy said. She added that she was worried that her sister had a small baby who needed parental care. "All this is a burden to my mother who has to abandon all her duties to look after the baby," she said sadly.

Mr Nndanganeni Thikhathali of Mbilwi Sanco said that a committee, comprising members drawn from the two affected civics, educators, royal council, ward council and family members, had been elected to oversee the funeral arrangements.

Meanwhile, a suspect, Mashudu Masiagwala (27), appeared in the Thohyandou Magistrate’s Court earlier this week and was charged with two counts of murder. The case was postponed to April 25 for further investigation and the accused remains in custody.