News / Regional
Rape suspect hangs himself in police cell
08 Mar 2013 at 23:05hrs | Views
A 26-year-old rape suspect committed suicide while he was detained at Matobo Police Station
Police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya confirmed the incident that occurred on Thursday at about 8am.
He identified the man as Ndabezinhle Mkandla of Grace Mkandla's homestead, Mlahlamkhonto Village in Gulathi area.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Mkandla was found dead by police officers who wanted to transfer him to the Bulawayo regional court. "Police officers conducted several checks on Mkandla on Thursday morning and everything appeared normal. They later went to his cell around 8am as he was supposed to be transferred to the Bulawayo regional court. When they arrived at his cell they found him hanging from a blanket seam which was tied to a burglar bar," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Mkandla had been arrested for allegedly raping and assaulting his 19-year-old ex-lover who was from the same village.
"Mkandla was arrested on 3 March as he was reported to have raped and assaulted his ex-lover, who is also of the same area," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Mkandla met his victim on 1 March and accused her of breaking up with him while he still loved her and he went on to assault her.
"The woman was coming from a grinding mill at Mlahlamkhonto Business Centre when she met Mkandla who struck her with a brick and slapped her as she had ended their relationship in December last year. Mkandla fled from the scene after he saw the woman's father approaching.
"The following day the woman who was accompanied by her brother reported Mkandla at Matobo Police Station. On their way they met Mkandla who was carrying an axe and he threatened to kill the woman's brother if he intervened," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said the brother fled from the scene to get assistance leaving his sister behind.
"Mkandla then dragged the woman into the bush and when they reached Entumbane Dam he stripped her and raped her," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Miss Moyo made a report to the police the following day leading to Mkandla's arrest.
He was detained at Matobo Police Station where he committed suicide.
His body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for postmortem.
Police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya confirmed the incident that occurred on Thursday at about 8am.
He identified the man as Ndabezinhle Mkandla of Grace Mkandla's homestead, Mlahlamkhonto Village in Gulathi area.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Mkandla was found dead by police officers who wanted to transfer him to the Bulawayo regional court. "Police officers conducted several checks on Mkandla on Thursday morning and everything appeared normal. They later went to his cell around 8am as he was supposed to be transferred to the Bulawayo regional court. When they arrived at his cell they found him hanging from a blanket seam which was tied to a burglar bar," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Mkandla had been arrested for allegedly raping and assaulting his 19-year-old ex-lover who was from the same village.
"Mkandla was arrested on 3 March as he was reported to have raped and assaulted his ex-lover, who is also of the same area," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Mkandla met his victim on 1 March and accused her of breaking up with him while he still loved her and he went on to assault her.
"The following day the woman who was accompanied by her brother reported Mkandla at Matobo Police Station. On their way they met Mkandla who was carrying an axe and he threatened to kill the woman's brother if he intervened," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said the brother fled from the scene to get assistance leaving his sister behind.
"Mkandla then dragged the woman into the bush and when they reached Entumbane Dam he stripped her and raped her," he said.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said Miss Moyo made a report to the police the following day leading to Mkandla's arrest.
He was detained at Matobo Police Station where he committed suicide.
His body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for postmortem.
Source - TC
