Kembo Mohadi's employee shoots self dead

A 45 year old game scout employed by Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi shot himself dead when his rifle accidentally discharged on Tuesday afternoon.

Arthur Mhaka's body has since been taken to United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) for a post-mortem. The farm is located 65 kilometres along the Beitbridge- Bulawayo road.

The officer commanding Beitbridge district Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chinhengo said the matter was now under investigation. He said Mhaka went missing on Tuesday afternoon at around 3pm soon after indicating that he was going fishing.

"The game scout was supposed to start work at around 6pm on the same day. Initial investigations reveal that he left his workplace for fishing at Zhovhe dam carrying his 202 rifle on Tuesday afternoon. Indications are that while on his way back from the dam the firearm discharged while he attempted to cross a fence.

"As a result he shot himself in the neck and the bullet was lodged under his chin.  He then tried to walk back to the farm but unfortunately he died along the way because of excessive bleeding."

He said the issue came to light after he failed to report for work, prompting the other game scouts to contact the wife who also works at the same farm.

He added that an overnight search was then conducted but they failed to find him.

Chief Supt Chinhengo said the man's body was discovered at around 5am on the following day in a sitting position under a tree holding his rifle in the left hand.

"We recovered one spent cartridge and another live round. The body has already been taken to Bulawayo for a post-mortem. The firearm has also been taken to Harare for ballistic tests. At the moment we are not suspecting any foul play though investigations are in progress," said Chief Supt Chinhengo.