News / National
Cop commits suicide at police station
05 Dec 2013 at 03:04hrs | Views
A JUNIOR police officer based at Mutare Central Police Station died on Monday after consuming a poisonous substance at the charge office in a suspected case of suicide.
Mutare district police boss Chief Superintendent Winston Muzah confirmed the incident yesterday and identified the deceased as Constable Gladys Masekela.
According to Muzah, brief circumstances into the matter were that Masekela reported for duty as usual on Sunday afternoon and later consumed the substance inside a toilet at the charge office.
"It's true the suicide happened. However, we are not aware of the cause, she didn't disclose it to anyone," Muzah said.
"She came to work on Sunday afternoon and proceeded to the parade with others. The parade went on well, but when they were dismissed, she then went to the toilet.
"We suspect it is at that moment that she drank the poison. She came back to the charge office smelling of a poisonous substance, but chewing sweets."
Muzah added: "Her counterparts smelled the poison and asked who had the pesticide. A few moments later she just collapsed. She was rushed to Mutare Provincial Hospital where they managed to drain the poison."
Masekela, however, died on Monday night.
Her workmates yesterday described the incident as shocking considering that she allegedly committed suicide at the police station.
"It's actually a big surprise to us all. She had deleted some messages in her cellphone and she did not leave a suicide note. As police, we advise people to find assistance whenever in trouble than to resort to suicide, but look here our own fellow just did that. It's so sad," said a police officer who requested anonymity.
Mutare district police boss Chief Superintendent Winston Muzah confirmed the incident yesterday and identified the deceased as Constable Gladys Masekela.
According to Muzah, brief circumstances into the matter were that Masekela reported for duty as usual on Sunday afternoon and later consumed the substance inside a toilet at the charge office.
"It's true the suicide happened. However, we are not aware of the cause, she didn't disclose it to anyone," Muzah said.
"She came to work on Sunday afternoon and proceeded to the parade with others. The parade went on well, but when they were dismissed, she then went to the toilet.
"We suspect it is at that moment that she drank the poison. She came back to the charge office smelling of a poisonous substance, but chewing sweets."
Muzah added: "Her counterparts smelled the poison and asked who had the pesticide. A few moments later she just collapsed. She was rushed to Mutare Provincial Hospital where they managed to drain the poison."
Masekela, however, died on Monday night.
Her workmates yesterday described the incident as shocking considering that she allegedly committed suicide at the police station.
"It's actually a big surprise to us all. She had deleted some messages in her cellphone and she did not leave a suicide note. As police, we advise people to find assistance whenever in trouble than to resort to suicide, but look here our own fellow just did that. It's so sad," said a police officer who requested anonymity.
Source - newsday
