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POLICE ATTEMPTS PUBLIC SUICIDE AFTER QUESTIONING BY SUPERIORS

By Wonderboy Dlamini | 2025-03-10

A traffic police officer left members of the public in shock after he attempted suicide while at a bar.
This was after he was allegedly questioned by his superiors on allegations of demanding bribes from motorists.
The incident that left officers at Siteki Police Station speaking in hushed tones happened on Wednesday evening in one of the bars in town.
It is said the police was earlier on the day questioned on allegations of extortion which were reported by a Mozambican motorist earlier on the day. *Michael (not his real name) is said to have been on duty on the day, where he conducted traffic patrols along the main roads of Siteki.
While on his duty, Michael is said to have had an encounter with a Mozambican motorist who had just entered the country through Mhlumeni Border Post.
conducted
He is said to have conducted an inspection on the vehicle and further verified the driver’s documents as per the dictates of the traffic laws.
The driver and the officer are said to have had a misunderstanding during the course of the exercise.
The Mozambican driver alleged that the officer demanded a bribe in order to let him free.
The driver eventually went to the police station and reported the officer for alleged extortion. He claimed to have already given an undisclosed amount of money to the officer.
The matter was swiftly referred to the regional headquarters as an administrative issue.
“Michael was called to the RHQ in the afternoon where he was questioned about the allegations,” said a source close to the matter.

As a result of the questioning, Michael is said to have eventually went to withdraw a sum of E400 from his bank account to repay the Mozambican driver who claimed to have paid the same amount to him.
dismissed
This was after his explanation on what actually happened on the day was allegedly dismissed by the senior officers who were questioning him.
Michael then proceeded to a drinking hall later on the day after the intensive questioning. Some of the patrons who spoke to this publication claimed Michael was overheard talking about his questioning, saying he was humiliated by the senior officers.
“He was crying hysterically as he was narrating the manner in which his superiors questioned him about the issue. Michael said he was falsely accused,” alleged an eyewitness who asked not to be named.
While still at the bar, Michael was seen allegedly ingesting a suspicious substance which was in a small container.
Some patrons acted swiftly and called other police officers. Seeing that his colleagues were called to the bar, Michael is said to have jumped into his vehicle and drove away after he had already ingested the poisonous substance.

His colleagues eventually caught up with him.
He was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted while in a critical condition. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter.
Vilakati said the officer was indeed questioned on allegations of bribery earlier on the day after some individuals reported to the station.
She said the reasons behind the officer’s decision to end his life could not be conclusively attributed to the questioning as yet.

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