A 33-year-old His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) officer committed suicide after complaining about financial challenges.
Lwazi Mkhonta, who was stationed at Vulamasango, allegedly ended his life around Mhlosheni on Thursday last week.
He is alleged to have disclosed to his close friends and relatives that he was facing financial challenges.
According to sources, the deceased wrote a note where he informed his family that he was tired of the life he was living, which was marred by financial challenges.
In the note, the deceased is alleged to have disclosed his location where they would find him after the suicide.
A search party was launched and Mkhonta was discovered in a forest. Before the suicide incident, the former head boy in one of the schools in the northern Hhohho allegedly confided to some close friends about his financial situation and it was then that he got the opportunity to meet a certain religious leader who tried to counsel him.
Mkhonta is the second security officer to take his life in a space of two weeks. This comes after a soldier from Ntfonjeni, Colani Mdluli, shot and killed himself.
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Acting Police Chief Information and Communications Officer Inspector Mazwi Ndzimandze confirmed the incident. Meanwhile, HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer Assistant Chief Officer Baphelele Kunene confirmed the death of the officer.
He said the matter concerning the tragic death of an officer, who is alleged to have committed suicide, was formally reported to the department after a four-day search was conducted collaboratively by both the family and HMCS officers.
Kunene said the department acknowledged the immense pain and sorrow brought about by the unfortunate incident and recognised the emotional distress endured by the family, colleagues and all affected during the period of the search and subsequent discovery.
Kunene further extended the department’s sincere condolences to the family, relatives, friends, and colleagues of the deceased officer.
He said HMCS prayed that God Almighty would grant the family comfort, strength, healing and peace as they navigate through this painful loss.
