Kariba based soldier shoots self dead

A Kariba-based soldier shot himself to death with a service rifle after leaving the colleagues he was on guard duty with and locking himself in a room. The reasons for killing himself have not yet been established and police said investigations were still in progress.

Elton Mute (age not given) a soldier with the 2-3 combat group in Magunje was stationed at the Zimbabwe Power Company administration offices main gate on guard duty at the weekend when he decided to take his life.

Police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the incident adding that investigations to establish the motive for committing suicide were still in progress.

“We are dealing with a matter in which a member of the Zimbabwe National Army shot himself to death but so far we have not yet managed to establish the reason for taking his life as there was no note or any communication to shed light,” he said.

On the fateful day, Mute was on guard duty at the ZPC main gate when he suddenly left his post and went to an office a few metres away which they used to store their belongings, without saying anything. A colleague Tinashe Kapunza followed and found the door locked from inside.

He reportedly peeped through the window and saw Mute seated on the floor while pointing his service AK47 rifle at his chin. Kapunza went back to their post to inform another member of the guard team about what was happening.

However, along the way he heard a gunshot before rushing to investigate only to realise that Mute had shot himself to death. They reported the case to the police who attended the scene and noted that Mute had shot himself through the mouth.