A PLUMTREE-based soldier shot himself dead using an AK47 while on duty at a point along the Zimbabwe-Botswana border on Tuesday morning. Progress Ntando Hlatshwayo, 31, who was stationed at 1.3 Reserve Infantry Battalion in Plumtree, was found by his workmates in a pool of blood, already dead.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda said:
“I can confirm that we received a case of sudden death involving an employee in the Zimbabwe National Army who was based at 1.3 Reserve Battalion in Plumtree.
“The cause of death has not yet been ascertained as we are still carrying out investigations but he was found with bullet wounds on his head. He did not leave a suicide note and no arrests have been made. His body has been taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for post mortem,” he said.
Ass Insp Sibanda said Hlatswayo and his colleagues were deployed at Nxele area to conduct border patrols at around 7AM on Tuesday.
He said the soldier was later found dead at around 11AM by his colleagues.
Hlatshwayo’s colleague who spoke on condition anonymity said they heard gun shots while they were conducting their duties along the border.
He said his colleague had a bullet wound below his chin and another one on the back of his head. The soldier said he assumed that Hlatshwayo shot himself below the chin and the bullet protruded through his head.
“We were stationed at Nxele area in a bushy area and Hlatshwayo wandered away from us while in possession of a rifle and we assumed that he was going to conduct some patrols. We later heard some gun shots and they left us startled,” said the Plumtree based soldier.
“We rushed to inspect and we found our colleague already dead and he had the rifle by his side.
“He appeared normal when he assumed his duties for the day and I am not sure why he decided to end his life in a terrible manner. Even some work mates who were close to him were not aware that something was troubling him.”
He said the gun shots also startled villagers in Nxele area who also rushed to the scene.-chronicle
