News / National
Council worker attempts suicide at work premises over salary
05 Jul 2015 at 01:38hrs | Views
A Shurugwi Town Council worker - Solomon Nzapu attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling in the director of finance's office after demanding close to $4 000 he is owed by the local authority.
Director of finance, a Taonezvi had apparently refused to release the money owed to Nzapu in medical bills as well as salary arrears backdated to March.
According to Sunday News, Nzapu went to Shurugwi Town House where he asked to see Taonezvi so that he would process his money which he was owed after his son underwent kidney surgery worth $7 200 after he was involved in a road accident sometime last year.
As part of the employees' benefits, the council meets half of the employee and his or her dependant's medical expenses.
Nzapu's son developed an infection in the kidneys as a result of the operation and was supposed to undergo another operation at a cost of $2 000, a development which forced him to approach the local authority seeking his dues.
All hell broke loose when Taonezvi refused to sign Nzapu's financial requisition forms so that the money would be released.
"Nzapu approached Mr Taonezvi and asked for his money so that he would take his ailing child to hospital. Nzapu was asked to bring the child's birth certificate as proof that the child was indeed his, to which he complied.
"When Nzapu brought the birth certificate, Mr Taonezvi refused to process his money resulting in a heated argument. Nzapu took a rope and tied his neck and hanged himself from the ceiling. He was, however, rescued by fellow council employees who cut the rope and he was rushed to Shurugwi District Hospital," said the employee.
Nzapu confirmed that he had a misunderstanding with the local authority over his money resulting in him attempting to commit suicide.
"It is true that I became emotional due to my personal problems that I wanted to address at that time and acted in that manner. You do not have to write about it because the dispute was between me and my employer and I hope that it will be resolved amicably. Writing about the story would jeopardise our efforts to reach a consensus," he said.
Director of finance, a Taonezvi had apparently refused to release the money owed to Nzapu in medical bills as well as salary arrears backdated to March.
According to Sunday News, Nzapu went to Shurugwi Town House where he asked to see Taonezvi so that he would process his money which he was owed after his son underwent kidney surgery worth $7 200 after he was involved in a road accident sometime last year.
As part of the employees' benefits, the council meets half of the employee and his or her dependant's medical expenses.
Nzapu's son developed an infection in the kidneys as a result of the operation and was supposed to undergo another operation at a cost of $2 000, a development which forced him to approach the local authority seeking his dues.
All hell broke loose when Taonezvi refused to sign Nzapu's financial requisition forms so that the money would be released.
"Nzapu approached Mr Taonezvi and asked for his money so that he would take his ailing child to hospital. Nzapu was asked to bring the child's birth certificate as proof that the child was indeed his, to which he complied.
"When Nzapu brought the birth certificate, Mr Taonezvi refused to process his money resulting in a heated argument. Nzapu took a rope and tied his neck and hanged himself from the ceiling. He was, however, rescued by fellow council employees who cut the rope and he was rushed to Shurugwi District Hospital," said the employee.
Nzapu confirmed that he had a misunderstanding with the local authority over his money resulting in him attempting to commit suicide.
"It is true that I became emotional due to my personal problems that I wanted to address at that time and acted in that manner. You do not have to write about it because the dispute was between me and my employer and I hope that it will be resolved amicably. Writing about the story would jeopardise our efforts to reach a consensus," he said.
Source - Sunday News
