Boy (8) hangs self after stealing $5 from mum

AN eight-year-old Kamativi boy allegedly hanged himself using an electric code recently after being reprimanded for stealing US$5 from his mother's shop.

The boy wanted to use the money to buy soft drinks. Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said the incident took place on April 3 at the Kamativi mining compound.

"We received a sudden death report involving an eight-year-old boy of CB 116 Kamativi compound," she said.

"Information received is that the boy stole US$5 from his mother's shop. He then proceeded to a neighbouring shop intending to buy soft drinks."

Asst Insp Makonese said the shop attendant asked the boy where he had got the money before calling his sister.

"It was discovered that the boy had stolen the money from his mother's shop," she said.

"The sister was then given back the US$5 and they went home."

Asst Insp Makonese said the boy took an electric code and hanged himself at house Number CB 87 in the same compound.

The boy's body was discovered by a neighbour who alerted his parents who made a report at Kamativi police station.