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A 54-year-old former freedom fighter from Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb is believed to have committed suicide by drinking poison, saying his family members did not like him.The man identified as Cde Townley Nxumalo was found dead by his tenants at House Number 30066 Entumbane on Sunday. Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident. He said they received a report of sudden death and were now investigating the issue.
In an interview on Wednesday, his friend Mr Mbelesi Mkandla said at about 8pm on Saturday, Cde Nxumalo threatened to kill himself due to social problems. “Nxumalo had earlier threatened to commit suicide but no one took him seriously.
His tenants said he came home on Saturday evening and locked himself in his room before drinking the poison on that particular night. He was found lying dead the following morning. This is a great loss to all the people who knew Cde Nxumalo because he was a good man and a unifier in times of disputes,” said Mr Mkandla.
His son, Mr Paul Nxumalo, said the family had lost a pillar of strength. “His death is painful because we have lost a pillar of strength. He has left a gap in our lives that would be difficult to fill,” said Mr Nxumalo.
The war veterans provincial administrator for Bulawayo, Cde Bornfas Ndlovu, described Cde Nxumalo as a dedicated patriot who contributed immensely to the development of the country when he served in the army. “Cde Nxumalo was a hardworking and dedicated cadre who worked with various formations and units in the army.
He was also an active member of the ZNLWVA and Zanu-PF,” said Cde Ndlovu.
Cde Nxumalo was born on 14 April 1959 in Nkayi District. He did his primary education at Dimbamiwa Primary School. He then studied commercial Art, Fine Art, Ceramics and Sculpture at Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre.
In 1978, he left the country to join the armed struggle and his port of call was Selibe Phikwe in Botswana. He then proceeded to Nampundwe transit camp in Zambia before going to MDT Camp for further training under Cde Busobenyoka. He trained in Motor 82 and other artillery pieces.
After independence he joined the ZNA where he trained in signals. He served for 23 years in the ZNA during which he received several medals, which included the Zimbabwe Liberation Medal, Zimbabwe Independence Medal, 10-year service medal, Mozambique Campaign medal and Operation Sovereignty medal. He retired from the army in 2006.
He will be buried on Saturday at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Nkulumane. He is survived by a wife, Mthokozisi and six children and seven grandchildren.
Online Reporter