Officer shoots himself dead in Nkasi

THE Kitete Prison Warden Officer, Sergeant Faustine Mwakyonike (39) in Nkasi District, Rukwa Region has committed suicide by shooting himself on throat while on duty as a guard at the institution without leaving any hint behind.

The Rukwa Regional Police Commander (RPC) Mr George Kyando over the weekend told the “Daily News” over the phone that they are still piecing pieces to establish what motivated the deceased to take the action, adding that once their investigations are completed the public will be notified.

“The shooting incident is true that the prison warden committed suicide on Friday by shooting himself, but because I am on a journey, I do not have much details to give you.

It is only that investigations are ongoing and the findings will be made public once we are through,” stressed the RPC. Narrating the incident, Kitete Prison in Charge, Mr Job Lwesya said the late Sergeant Mwakyonike reported on duty as usual armed with a firearm on Friday and at around 10:00 pm, but shortly after midnight, he shot himself and died on the spot. “

He pressed the gun barrel upwards facing his throat and the bullet sailed through ....and badly damaged his head,” said Mr Lwesya . He said his motives for taking the action are still unknown, adding that the body has been preserved at Nkasi District Hospital’s mortuary before transportation to Rungwe District in Mbeya Region for burial.