Man hangs self after being arrested for loitering

A 36-year-old Jambezi man committed suicide by hanging after his release by police who had arrested him for loitering in the early hours of 2 January.

The incident happened under village head Jeqe at Gundwa Village 3 at Benita Chuma's homestead.

The now deceased, Zondani Munsonka, was detained by police in the early hours of 2 January but was later released after police ruled that he had no case to answer.

He was found hanging from a tree on the next day.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the incident and said police attended the scene and ruled out foul play.

"I can confirm we received a report of a man who was found hanging from a tree at his homestead. The man was detained for loitering in the early hours of 2 January but was released after two hours," said Asst Insp Makonese.

She said the man went home and spent the whole day with his family and everything was normal.

"Everything was normal on that fateful day. His family members retired to bed early and left him alone by the fireplace. At around 9pm, the man checked to see if no one was awake," said Asst Insp Makonese.

She said the man then took a piece of wire and went to a nearby tree and hanged himself.

"The man took a piece of wire and went to a nearby tree where he hanged himself. His nephew discovered the body hanging from the tree the next morning and alerted elders who made a report to the police.

"Police in Jambezi attended the scene and no foul play is suspected," said Asst Insp Makonese.

Asst Insp Makonese urged members of the public to speak out if they had problems.