Darlington Rushambwa (38) of Glen Norah who was remanded in custody by a Mbare magistrate on charges of stealing a neighbour’s cellphone worth $10 has killed himself by hanging inside police cells after he had been denied bail.
The Harare man used his leather belt and mesh wire to commit suicide in a toilet while in police custody. The State’s case is that on March 18 this year, a complainant identified as Matts Kungulani was walking from Spaceman shops to his home using Gumbe Road in Glen Norah.
Along the way, Rushambwa and three others pounced on Kungulani, hitting him on the back before tying his hands and legs. Rushambwa was thereafter arrested in connection with the robbery.
It was not immediately clear why the matter was yet to be concluded since March, eight months ago. The suicide incident however occurred a few minutes after he was denied bail.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, saying the suspect was found hanging in the holding cell.
“I can confirm that a 38-year-old man committed suicide after being remanded in custody. He was facing robbery charges and the magistrate had just remanded him to November 22.
“After the remand proceedings, prison officials locked him up. A few minutes later, they found him dead,” Nyathi said.
The body has been taken to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for post-mortem.