adminHis brother’s wife, Mrs Sibongile Ncube, reportedly discovered his body hanging from a tree in the bush on Monday at about 6.30am.
Acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Sergeant Loveness Mangena confirmed the death and identified the man as Scotch Ncube from Chief Malaba in Kezi.
She said on Sunday, Ncube went to St Joseph’s Clinic in the company of Mr Trynos Ncube, his neighbour, as he was not feeling well and tested positive to HIV.
“Ncube was not feeling well and as such decided to seek treatment. While at the clinic he tested positive for HIV and they counselled him,” said Sgt Mangena.
She said when they returned home, it was reported that Ncube did not sleep with his children as he usually did, but slept in his own bedroom.
She said the following morning Ncube told Mrs Ncube that he was going to relieve himself in the nearby bush, but after he did not return and Mrs Ncube went out to look for him.
Sgt Mangena said she found him hanging from the branch of a tree. He used a rope to hang himself.
“The matter was reported to the police and the body was conveyed to Tshelanyemba Hospital mortuary where it is awaiting post-mortem,” she said.
Sgt Mangena advised members of the public that being HIV positive does not mean the end of life and encouraged people to seek counselling rather than resort to committing suicide.
“As police we continue to encourage people to seek counselling first in the event of problems rather than resort to committing suicide.
“In fact, we have traditional leaders, counsellors from churches as well as our own officers from the public relations and liaison department who can assist in resolving disputes,” she said.
In a related incident, a 44-year-old Bulawayo man committed suicide by swallowing cyanide crystal following a domestic dispute with his wife, police confirmed.
Sergeant Mangena, said the incident occurred at about 6pm on Tuesday at Bodega Mine, Sun Yet Sen in Kezi.
Sgt Mangena identified the man as Hardwick Matizikitzi of F136 Njube in Bulawayo and was employed as a stores man by Bodega Mine.
“It looks like Matizikitzi had a long standing domestic dispute with his wife, Sipho Mpofu and at about 12 midday on Monday they had a heated argument,” she said.
“Ms Mpofu then reported the matter to the police and they were both called for counselling.”
Sgt Mangena said when the couple returned home, Matizikitzi went to the mine storeroom where he took the cyanide crystal and swallowed it amid frantic efforts by his wife to stop him.
“The wife reportedly called for help from neighbours, but by the time they arrived he was in a critical condition and passed away before medical staff could attend to him,” said the police spokesperson.
His body was taken to nearby Tshelanyemba Hospital for post-mortem.
Sgt Mangena advised members of the public to seek counselling from relatives, community leaders or police when faced with challenges.
“I urge all members of the public to consult other reliable members of their families, community leaders or police who can assist them with counselling instead of handling domestic disputes on their own.
“We have police officers who are trained to counsel people facing domestic problems,” she said.
Online Reporter