Cop attempts suicide by shooting self in Mzuzu
Shock and disbelief engulfed police officers at Mzuzu Police Station and Northern Region Police headquarters on Tuesday as one of the officers tried to kill self in the presence of his superiors.
Evance Ngosi attempted to commit suicide at around 7 am, police confirmed to Nation Online, but could not disclose what led to the officer to try to take his own life.
Mzuzu police spokesperson Maurice Chapola said he was on holiday while Northern region PRO Norah Chimwala declined to give more details and referred Nation Online to Northern region Deputy Commissioner of Police McLean Donald Chipao who also could not comment.
However, a source said Ngosi had been complaining about financial problems for the past weeks and he told some people at the office that he would commit suicide.
He said he also wrote a suicide note asking someone to take care of his family.
According to the source, Ngosi on Tuesday around 7 am went to ask for a gun claiming he was on private duty but he was not on the roster for private duty that day.
However, he was given an FN rifle and he went to Mzuzu Community Policing office and closed the door to shoot himself.
While in the office his superior Superintendent Darlington Kambadi came to the office to work on some items on a computer and he later pulled the trigger. Fortunately the bullet landed around his hip. The sound of the gun scared Kambadi who run away to compose himself. He later returned and Ngosi was rushed to Mzuzu Central Hospital for treatment.
“For the past days he has been complaining that he has a debt that he is failing to settle. The debt was giving him headache. You know the salaries police receive, they are peanuts so to him he just thought of taking away his life,” said the source.
Ngosi is recovering and feeling better according to Chimwala.
I am so sorry that a debt could prompt Ngosi to take life. Life cannot escape problems. They are part of us. Ngosi learn to share with other and work within your limits.
Was Darlington sober at the time? Mkulu amaledzera koopsa ameneyu
Though a weak mind, but it is an indicator that salaies of many people in Malawi are just too little. Government should do something on the welfare of its people.
I understand that he had no freedom but sometimes people should think that when you are having problem its not only you many of them are also having the same problem you are facing.